Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson expected to miss 'weeks' with lower-body injury

Feb. 15—The Colorado Avalanche's final push toward the playoffs might not include Erik Johnson.

The veteran defenseman is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury and expects to miss "weeks" before returning, coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday night, after a 4-3 shootout home loss versus Tampa Bay.

Johnson blocked a shot with a skate in the win over Florida and was unable to put weight on his left leg as he exited the tunnel Saturday night at FLA Live Arena. Johnson had appeared in 51 games with seven assists prior to injury. He was replaced on the team's second defensive pairing by Andreas Englund against the Lightning.

It is unclear if Johnson will be available for the postseason.

"I don't have a tight timeline on him," Bednar said of Johnson. "But he's out indefinitely and it will be weeks."

Bednar on upcoming schedule: 'I hate it'

Colorado has embarked on arguably its toughest portion of the regular season schedule with three consecutive back-to-back games.

— Feb. 14 (vs. Lightning) and Feb. 15 (at Wild)

— Feb. 18 (at Blues) and Feb. 19 (vs. Oilers)

— Feb. 24 (at Jets) and Feb. 25 (vs. Flames)

Bednar vented frustration over the games sequence for one significant reason.

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"I hate it. Every back-to-back, the (second) team is waiting on us resting," Bednar explained. "I find it odd that's the best scheduling we can come up with. We're gonna go to Minny now and they're sitting there waiting on us. Edmonton will be sitting and resting, waiting on us to come back off the road in St. Louis. Then the same thing (happens) the next weekend. It seems strange to me that's the best they can do.

"I have no problem with playing back-to-backs. I don't like playing a rested team every time on a back-to-back, especially against three teams that we're fighting with (to reach the playoffs)."

More health updates

Defenseman Cale Makar (concussion) will miss a fourth consecutive game Wednesday when Colorado visits Minnesota, per Bednar. It is possible that defenseman Josh Manson (lower body) will return against the Wild.

There is still no timeline for Pavel Francouz (lower body), however, Georgiev is expected to start again in Minnesota.

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Avalanche 3, Wild 2

What happened: Colorado won the second of back-to-back games against a divisional opponent on the road. The Avs scored on three of their first nine shots on goal to open the night.

What went right: Defenseman Josh Manson played in his first game since early December after recovering from a lower-body injury. He played well and recorded one assist. The Avs overcame a slow start, getting outshot 16-6 in the first period, to still lead at the first intermission. Andrew Cogliano sniped the puck on a rush opportunity for his ninth goal of the season. Colorado made it 2-0 in the second period when forward Denis Malgin scored (his second goal in two games). After the Wild cut into their deficit, Nathan MacKinnon returned momentum to the Avalanche with a goal.

What went wrong: Minnesota scored in the second period on a forward Joel Eriksson Ek shot through traffic. Defenseman Bowen Byram, with a history of concussions, was forced to drop his gloves when Wild forward Matt Boldy took issue with a legal hit at the net front. Byram held his own in the fight, though, and did not appear injured. Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov scored in the third period to make it a one-goal game.

Between the pipes: Alexandar Georgiev made 40-of-42 saves. He was excellent in back-to-back starts. Minnesota's Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 16 of Colorado's 19 shots on goal.

What's next: The Avalanche (29-19-5) travel to face the St. Louis Blues (25-25-3), 12 p.m. Saturday (NHL Network) at Enterprise Center.

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