The Colorado Avalanche will be without defenseman Josh Manson Friday in a must-win Game 6 against the Seattle Kraken, head coach Jared Bednar told reporters. Manson played just 8:27 in Wednesday’s Game 5 before exiting with an undisclosed injury.
Manson is no stranger to injury troubles. Multiple absences during the regular season kept his games played total under 30 for the second time in three years. While he was an effective piece during last year’s Stanley Cup run for Colorado after a deadline-day trade from the Anaheim Ducks, significant injury troubles in the first season of a four-year deal don’t bode well for either party down the road.
Luckily for Colorado, Manson’s lineup spot will be filled by Cale Makar, who’s returning from a one-game suspension for a hit on Kraken forward Jared McCann in Game 4. The Avs are hoping for a big performance from the superstar defenseman to keep their season alive.
More injury notes as the first round of the playoffs reach its elimination stage:
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