Canada is without No. 1 defenseman Cale Makar for its game against the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar missed the team's practice Friday due to an illness, meaning he could miss Saturday night's tilt against Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal. Canada coach Jon Cooper declined to say that he "expected" Makar to be available,

Makar was a late scratch for Canada before its matchup against the United States because of an illness and is considered day to day.

Cale Makar will be a game-time decision for Canada when they face the United States on Saturday night at the Four Nations Face-Off.

Cale Makar returned to Team Canada’s lineup on Monday after missing Saturday’s game due to illness. Canada won 5-3 against Finland at TD Garden in Boston.

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Star defenseman Cale Makar will be a game-time decision for Canada's showdown with the United States on Saturday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.

The Canadian team has been playing without one of its top defensemen in Cale Makar, who has been recovering from an illness. If Canada wants to get a win over Finland on Monday afternoon and secure a place in the championship game, it could benefit from a return from Makar.

Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar, who was a game-time decision earlier in the day and is battling an illness that held him out of Friday's practice, did not play in his club's 3-1 loss to the United States on Saturday at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Cale Makar was not in the lineup for Canada in its 3-1 loss against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre on Saturday.

Cale Makar shared his excitement about playing for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He posted pictures of himself donning the red Team Canada jersey with the iconic Maple Leaf logo.

Part of the reason for Canada’s loss could be chalked up to the absence of their best defenseman, Cale Makar. An illness sidelined Makar for the game against the United States, forcing Canada to add Thomas Harley to the roster and put him in the lineup.