Avalanche Forward Matt Duchene Out With Injury

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Matt Duchene for at least a week with an oblique injury.

Duchene was hurt in the third period against Florida on Saturday. He is the team's leading scorer with 12 goals and eight assists.

The squad recently placed forward Alex Tanguay on injured reserve, retroactive to Nov. 2, and recalled forward Brad Malone from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League.

Colorado coach Patrick Roy said after practice on Monday that "when you lose Duchene and Tanguay, it creates a hole. You don't replace guys like this. At the same time, it's an opportunity for others."

The Avalanche have cooled off since a franchise-best 14-2 start. They've dropped three straight heading into a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.