Nashville, Tenn. – Prior to Thursday night’s game against the Nashville Predators, the Avalanche had withstood a manageable 85 man-games lost to injury. But that number will increase in the wake of first-period injuries that knocked regulars Milan Hejduk and Ossi Vaananen out of the game.
Of the two, Vaananen’s injury is much more serious. The Finnish defenseman’s season might be over after he suffered a broken right ankle while being hit hard into the boards by Nashville’s Darcy Hordichuk.
Vaananen led the Avs at plus-10. He will not play for Finland in the Olympics because of the injury, and it appears doubtful he could rehabilitate in time to return for the playoffs.
“He’ll have surgery (today),” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. “It’s definitely long term. It’s an extensive injury. I don’t want to say (he’s out) for the year, but it’s going to be a long rehab.”
The loss of Vaananen likely means more playing time for Kurt Sauer, who has been a healthy scratch much of the season.
Hejduk was hit, while he wasn’t looking, by Nashville’s Mark Eaton shortly after a whistle in the first period. Hejduk left on his own power, and the Avs said he suffered a neck injury.
“We’ll see (this) morning,” Quenneville said. “It’s a neck injury. We’ll know more (today).”
Avs defenseman Rob Blake said he did not see the hit on Hejduk, but called Hordichuk’s hit on Vaananen a clean one.
Boughner out
Bob Boughner, another player who figures to get more playing time in Vaananen’s absence, did not suit up because of a hip pointer.
Boughner suffered the injury in Tuesday’s game against Minnesota.
