Whether concussions are indeed becoming more prevalent — or are just better diagnosed than in the past — they are more in the news these days. Unfortunately for the Avalanche, that was the case with its captain Friday.
Defenseman Adam Foote will be sidelined an undetermined length of time with a concussion.
The 39-year-old defenseman suffered the injury at the end of the first period Thursday night against San Jose, hitting his head on the glass behind the Avalanche net.
Foote becomes the second Avs player to be sidelined with a concussion, with Peter Mueller the other.
“We’ll see how (Foote) is tomorrow, but right now we’re taking it on a day-by-day basis,” Avs coach Joe Sacco said Friday.
The Avs did not immediately recall another defenseman from Lake Erie, but that could happen today.
Foote suffered a concussion in the 2008-09 season after a collision with Kings forward John Zeiler.
The Avs will get David Jones back tonight against the Kings. The forward participated in the full practice Friday after missing one game with a bruised forearm.
Avs forwards Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk were given the day off but are expected to play against L.A., which will be without a top player of its own against the Avs — de-fenseman Drew Doughty. He also has a concussion.
Craig Anderson (3-3-0) will start in goal for Colorado.
The Avs have allowed seven power-play goals this season. Only Dallas has allowed more. But winger Daniel Winnik, a lead forward on the penalty- killing unit, believes the team has been better than the numbers say.
“I think power-play and penalty-kill stats get skewed a little,” Winnik said. “You get off to a hot start and your numbers stay good the whole year. You give up two, and the numbers fluctuate a lot. I think we got off to a great start and allowed a couple here and there.”
The Avs usually stay in a four-man box and try to take away the passing lanes. Some teams chase the puck harder, but that can create lots of danger, Winnik said.
“Every team in the league has their top skill guys on the power play,” he said. “If you go running at them, they’ll make the pass and create a great chance somewhere else. I think we just have to keep working hard and we’ll have success.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
Notebook
Avalanche: Neither of the team’s top two centers, Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene, has scored a goal since opening night. . . . The Avs spent much of their practice Friday working on special teams. . . . Winger David Koci (broken jaw) has resumed practice with the team. But he is wearing a protective shield still and is not expected to play.
Kings: Los Angeles is coming off a 4-2 loss at Phoenix on Thursday. . . . Star defenseman Drew Doughty (concussion) won’t play tonight and is expected to miss at least a few more days. He was hurt on a check by Carolina’s Erik Cole on Wednesday. . . . Defenseman Matt Greene could return to the lineup tonight from an injury. . . . Jonathan Quick will start in goal. . . . The Kings put goalie Erik Ersberg on waivers Thursday. He is expected to play for a Russian team in the KHL.
