Avalanche defenseman and Canadian Olympian Devon Toews is out for the Avalanche’s game Sunday in Florida. Toews, who has played in all 39 games to date, is suffering from an upper-body injury.
Colorado was in Carolina on Saturday and defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. While in the middle of a third-period comeback, Toews was tripped by Nikolaj Ehlers as he was chasing a puck behind the net and fell awkwardly into the boards. He left the game and missed a few shifts before returning several minutes later to finish the game.
Given that he returned, it’s likely the injury is not serious. But there was no official word from the Avalanche on a timeline for his recovery.
Toews was named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster on New Year’s Eve. The opening game of the men’s hockey tournament is 38 days away. Toews, 31, represented Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. He has a goal and 13 points so far this season.
Ilya Solovyov is back in the lineup for the Avs to fill out the blueline. Solovyov has not played since Nov. 1.
