Avs Defenseman Erik Johnson Out 3-To-8 Weeks With Knee Injury

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Avalanche will be without top defenseman Erik Johnson for three to eight weeks due to a knee injury.

Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said the team received the update on Johnson after he had a scope Monday. Roy was "disappointed by the situation." Roy also said he has a "lot of confidence in our group" and that it will mean "different responsibilities for some of our defensemen."

Johnson made the All-Star team, but didn't play in the game over the weekend. The 26-year-old has a career-high 12 goals this season.

Colorado has some work to do to climb back into playoff contention, beginning Tuesday night in Nashville. The team is currently 10th in the Western Conference and three points out of the last playoff spot.

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