Avs forward Jonathan Drouin out with lower
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Jonathan Drouin for their first-round playoff series against Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury.
Drouin got hurt when he tripped in the second period Thursday against Edmonton. He skated off and didn’t return.
The Avalanche practiced Saturday morning before leaving for Winnipeg. Game 1 of the series is Sunday.
The 29-year-old Drouin turned in a career season with 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) after signing with Colorado as a free agent over the summer.
Drouin was typically on the same line as Mikko Rantanen and his good friend Nathan MacKinnon, who had a career-best 140 points this season.
“Super unfortunate. I feel really bad for him,” MacKinnon said. “I know he’s crushed right now. He’s been building all season for this. We can’t replace him.
“Obviously, it sucks for the team, but for him as a person, it’s just so sad. Hopefully we get him back sooner than later.”