Matt Duchene Injury: Updates on Avalanche Center's Knee and Return

Matt Duchene hasn't played since March 16 against the Vancouver Canucks because of a knee injury. However, he's ready to return to the ice.

Continue for updates. 

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Duchene Will Play vs. Capitals

Friday, April 1

Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy said Duchene will play Friday against Washington.

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Duchene Vital to Avalanche's Postseason Hopes

Losing Duchene is a huge blow for the Avalanche, who are nine points behind Nashville for fourth place in the Central Division with five games remaining. The 25-year-old leads the team in goals (29), surpassing his previous career high of 27 in 2010-11, and points (56). 

In a report from the Avs' Twitter account, starting center Nathan MacKinnon, who is second on the team in points, will also miss the next two games. All that missing offensive firepower leaves a void that will be impossible to replace, forcing the team to rely on defense and goalie Semyon Varlamov to win games.