The Colorado Avalanche share 37 wins with the Tampa Bay Lightning and hold a three-game lead over the Minnesota Wild in the Central Division, with three games yet to be played. Yet what truly strengthens Colorado’s position is the recent injury setback faced by the Dallas Stars, their direct competitor.
Reports confirm that Stars winger Mikko Rantanen suffered an injury at the Winter Olympics and will be sidelined for at least four weeks. With the Avalanche set to visit Dallas in 11 days, Rantanen is expected to miss that critical matchup when Colorado returns.
Impact of Mikko Rantanen’s Injury on the Dallas Stars
Rantanen has performed strongly this season, logging 20 goals and 49 assists across 54 games. Despite a recent scoring drought—five games separating his last two goals—he had started December strong with goals in three consecutive games. His absence will be particularly damaging since he has contributed 30 power play points this season, which includes five goals and 25 assists. The Stars will lose a significant portion of their offensive power during his recovery, giving the Avalanche an opportunity to sustain their current competitive edge.
Sidney Crosby’s Injury Poses a Major Challenge for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Another key injury to monitor is to Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, who also sustained an injury during the Winter Olympics. Crosby missed several games for Team Canada, including the gold medal contest, and is expected to be out for at least four weeks. The Avalanche will face the Penguins on March 16, 19 days from now, while Crosby remains sidelined.
This season, Crosby has tallied 27 goals and 32 assists in 56 contests, including 10 power play goals with assists. His absence critically affects the Penguins, not only due to the loss of their best player but also their team leader. Losing Crosby for an extended period could heavily impact Pittsburgh’s ability to hold their second-place standing in the Metropolitan Division.
Opportunities for the Avalanche in the Closing Season Stretch
The Avalanche must capitalize on these injuries to top opponents by maintaining their momentum following the Winter Olympics. Players returning from international play had strong tournaments and need to continue performing well as the regular season nears its end. If Colorado sustains this level of play, their standing as a feared contender in the NHL will remain intact.
Mikko Rantanen is expected to miss at least two weeks. Maybe more.
But they expect him to be back before the end of the regular season.
— Sam Nestler (@samnestler) February 24, 2026
Crosby is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. https://t.co/K3WB2aQa9y
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) February 25, 2026
