After clinching a playoff spot this weekend, the Colorado Avalanche received bad news as they lost leading scorer Matt Duchene for approximately four weeks in that playoff clinching win over the San Jose Sharks. The timing of the injury means that Duchene will miss most (or all) of the Avalanche’s first round series, which is likely to be against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Duchene was injured when he collided with teammate Jamie McGinn. He left the game and did not return. The Avalanche won 3-2. The injury is to Duchene’s left knee.
Matt Duchene is having a remarkable season with 23 goals 47 assists and 70 points in 71 games. The assists and points are both career highs for Duchene. He was also part of Canada’s gold medal winning team at the Sochi Olympics. Matt Duchene was the Avalanche’s first pick, third overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Colorado already lost Alex Tanguay for the season to hip and knee injuries. They are also currently without P.A. Parenteau who has a sprained knee, but could be back for the postseason. Overall its a lot of offensive firepower in the pressbox now, and the Avalanche will look to others to pick up the slack. They do still have players such as Paul Stastny, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan O’Reilly who will be forced to lead the offence until reinforcements arrive back from injured reserve. The team will need them to in order to stay alive long enough to get Matt Duchene back in the lineup in this year’s playoffs.
Matt Duchene posted on his twitter that he still hopes to be ready for the playoffs.
100 pts & playoff bound is something all of us have been working towards for a long time. Something to be majorly proud of #AvsNation !
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) March 31, 2014
Secondly, the thought of not playing in the first round for me has been devastating. We have outstanding medical and training staff that…
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) March 31, 2014
…will be helping me get healthy ASAP. I will be doing everything in my power to be ready for Game 1… And if not then, shortly after!
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) March 31, 2014
We are a helluva team ready for the playoffs. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers they are greatly appreciated! #WhyNotUs !
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) March 31, 2014
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