Overview

• Nathan MacKinnon will miss Thursday's game against the Canucks and possibly the final two regular season games to rest and address an undisclosed issue ahead of the playoffs.
• Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed MacKinnon's absence is not solely for rest, as the star forward is managing an underlying problem after a historic 116-point season.
• Other Avalanche players, including Ryan Lindgren, Josh Manson, and Jonathan Drouin, are also sidelined due to upper body injuries as the team focuses on postseason readiness.
• Captain Gabriel Landeskog has joined the Colorado Eagles on a conditioning assignment, aiming to return for Game 1 of the playoffs after being out since 2022 due to knee surgeries.
• The Avalanche have secured at least the No. 3 seed in the Central Division as they balance player health with playoff preparations.