DALLAS — It appears that , originally listed as “week-to-week” with an injury to his left leg, could miss an entire month as the Avalanche continues to wade through heavy losses to its forward corps.
Rantanen, a 2019 NHL All-Star who will earn a team-high $12 million salary this season, is beginning his third week on injured reserve but his recovery has yet to include the most important element — skating. He’s not here in Dallas with the Avs and he isn’t skating back in the Denver area, coach said Tuesday after a morning skate at the American Airlines Center.
“He’s still week-to-week,” Bednar said of Rantanen, who had 12 points (five goals) in his first nine games. “He’s just continuing on his rehab right now and trying to get healthy enough to play. He’s not ready to join the group.”
The Avs will also face the on Tuesday without veteran forwards and , both out with lower-body injuries. Landeskog, also a 2019 All-Star, is out indefinitely.
Colorado, which began the season on an eight-game points streak (7-0-1), is 1-3-1 without Rantanen and 0-2-1 without Rantanen and Landeskog — normally the two wingers on ‘s line.
MacKinnon will center the top line Tuesday with left wing — normally a bottom-six forward — and .
The Avs, who are on a 0-3-1 skid, have scored just one goal in their last two games.
“We need to create a spark, mix up some lines,” second-line center said Tuesday. “We’ve run into a couple hot goaltenders so that obviously plays a part. A lot of teams deal with (injuries) — maybe not the type of magnitude as (Rantanen and Landeskog) — but everyone deals with injuries one way or another. It’s important for the guys who are playing to step up and answer the call and take advantage of the opportunity they are given.”
The Avs took Sunday off in Arizona after losing to the Coyotes 3-0. They practiced in Arizona on Monday before flying to Dallas.
The Stars are on a three-game winning streak, which includes a 2-1 victory at Colorado on Friday. Forward Roope Hintz, who scored both goals for Dallas in that game, is doubtful Tuesday with an injury.
Jared Bednar after morning skate in Dallas
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
Avalanche lineup at Dallas
ǰɲ:
Nieto-MacKinnon-Donskoi
Jost-Kadri-Compher
Burakovsky-Bellemare-Calvert
Nichushkin-Kamenev-Megna
Defense:
Girard-Johnson
Cole-Makar
Zadorov-Graves
Goaltending:
Grubauer, Francouz
Scratched: D Mark Barberio
