Matt Hunwick is supposed to return to the ice from a torso injury but his partner on his defensive line, Erik Johnson, is now indefinitely after suffering a head injury in a game against the Coyotes earlier this week.
That's simply put for this struggling Avalanche team. They have dropped three straight and head to Minnesota Thursday night.
Gabriel Landeskog, their captain, is already out with a head injury and defenseman Ryan Wilson with an ankle. Also, Steve Downie, probably their best forward this season, is out for the season with a torn ACL.
This is unbelievable," said forward John Mitchell. He was out for Monday's game against the Coyotes because of the flu. "Hopefully, these aren't significant injuries and we can get over them relatively quickly."
Well, I wish I could say they're not significant injuries, but they are. Without Gabriel Landeskog to help out on the offense, especially on the power play, as well as Erik Johnson to shore up their defense, I don't really see this team going up. These players are some of the most important pieces of their team and without them, they virtually have nothing. I know Matt Duchene is still on the ice and still an impact for this team, but honestly, these other guys are still what brings this team together and helps them win games.
Loss of Johnson particularly stings since he was helpful in front of young goaltender Semyon Varlamov. But he took a hit in the Coyotes game and that's how he managed to be out.
Matt Hunwick will take his place against the Wild. Honestly, I still just don't think that will make much of a difference. This team is already struggling for offense and without Johnson, I think this defense could have a hard time overcoming adversity and taking a few games away from other teams. But we'll see. Can the Avs overcome? Or will it be doom for this already struggling team?
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