The Colorado Avalanche will be without two key pieces for the foreseeable future, as goaltender Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Erik Johnson are out indefinitely with undisclosed ailments, head coach Jared Bednar said Monday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Both players were injured in Game 1 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
The Avs will roll with backup Pavel Francouz - who was actually the team's most effective goalie this season - in Grubauer's absence.
| Stat | Grubauer | Francouz |
|---|---|---|
| GP | 36 | 34 |
| SV% | .916 | .923 |
| GAA | 2.63 | 2.41 |
| GSAA | 6.48 | 13.06 |
Both netminders have been sensational in the postseason thus far, though.
| Stat | Grubauer | Francouz |
|---|---|---|
| GP | 7 | 3 |
| SV% | .922 | .941 |
| GAA | 1.87 | 1.59 |
| GSAA | 0.67 | 1.63 |
Losing Johnson is a massive blow. The veteran blue-liner averaged 21:03 of regular-season ice time - the third-most on the team behind Samuel Girard and Nathan MacKinnon. The club counts on the 2006 No. 1 pick to play a shutdown role.
Kevin Connauton, a veteran of 314 NHL games, will draw into the lineup in Johnson's place. Bednar said he liked the play of young rearguards Bowen Byram and Conor Timmins in training camp, but the bench boss values Connauton's strength, puck-moving ability, and experience, according to The Athletic's Ryan Clark.
Forward Matt Calvert will also remain out of the lineup for Game 2, which is set for Monday at 9:45 p.m. ET.
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