Matt Duchene injury: Avalanche center won’t play in first round of NHL playoffs
Colorado must find a way to advance without its top player.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Roy became the bearer of bad news on Saturday when he confirmed that Avalanche center Matt Duchene's knee injury will keep him out of Colorado's first round matchup with the Minnesota Wild.
Duchene hasn’t played since March 29, when he injured his knee in a strange collision with teammate Jamie McGinn. According to Roy, Duchene hasn’t even tested his leg on the ice yet and will need another week. His initial prognosis was about four weeks.
The 23-year-old finished the regular season with 23 goals and 70 points in 71 games, so his offense will continue to be missed.
Colorado will also be without center John Mitchell, who is recovering from a concussion, so the Avalanche are down two of their most important centers. Roy indicated that Mitchell hasn't even returned to regular workouts yet.
Colorado will roll with Paul Stastny and rookie Nathan MacKinnon on the top two lines once again after the pair played an outstanding Game 1. The two combined for six points in the opener, including teaming up for Stastny's game-winning goal in overtime.
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