Avalanche hit with pair of crushing injuries — with one star to miss at least a month

Colorado Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will miss several weeks with lower-body injuries, leaving the team without two of its most important players. MacKinnon is expected to be out for at least a month and Makar for two weeks, a significant setback for Colorado’s offence.

Both were injured in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Ottawa: MacKinnon left after a check to the hip area, while Makar appeared to hurt himself while stopping. MacKinnon leads Colorado with 30 points and 20 assists; both stars play on a power-play unit that has scored 10 goals in its past 10 games. The Avalanche are third in the Central Division and are also without defenceman Josh Manson, who is on long-term injured reserve.