During Monday night’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings, winger Artturi Lehkonen left the ice in the first period after being struck high by the puck. He had played fewer than four minutes and only three shifts before exiting. Following the game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Lehkonen will miss time with an upper-body injury, according to Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette.
Lehkonen’s Key Role in Colorado’s Lineup
Lehkonen is in his fourth full season with the Avalanche and has been instrumental in their offense, averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game. This season, he has set personal records with 19 goals and 42 points in 59 games, projecting to finish with 26 goals and 58 points in an 82-game season. This pace surpasses his previous best of 21 goals and 51 points from the 2022-23 campaign.
Powerful Chemistry with Top Line Partners
Lehkonen has excelled as the left-wing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on Colorado’s primary even-strength line. The trio has shared nearly 475 minutes of ice time together—over 340 minutes more than any other Avalanche line this season. Their combined efforts have produced a dominant scoring margin of 38 goals for to 16 against their opponents.
Challenge Ahead: Reconfiguring the Top Line
With Lehkonen sidelined, Colorado faces a difficult decision on how to adjust their most effective line. Captain Gabriel Landeskog is expected to step up into the top-line left-wing spot, but the question remains which additional forward will join the lineup. Currently, the Avalanche lack a healthy extra forward on their NHL roster, meaning a call-up may be necessary.
Among Colorado’s minor-leaguers, left-winger Taylor Makar has appeared in 12 NHL games this season without scoring, making him a possible immediate option for a short-term role. Another candidate is Alex Barre-Boulet, who leads the AHL Colorado Eagles with 54 points in 52 games and recorded a point in his sole NHL appearance this year. The Avalanche will weigh these options as they seek fresh offensive contributions during Lehkonen’s absence.
