During a tense match against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was struck in the right cheek by a puck, prompting his hospitalization. The incident occurred with 16:39 remaining in the third period, causing Bednar to bend over in pain before being assisted to the locker room. Fortunately, he was reported to be fully alert and conscious, undergoing a CT scan for further evaluation. The Avalanche ultimately lost the game 3-2 in overtime. Assistant coach Dave Hakstol stepped in to manage the team for the remainder of the match. Additionally, the Avalanche faced another setback as defenseman Josh Manson sustained an upper-body injury late in the second period. The team is scheduled to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for a two-game road trip, although it remains unclear if Bednar will join them.