Avalanche Coach confirms worst case scenario for Rantanen injury

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told the media on Sunday afternoon that Avalanche superstar Mikko Rantanen has been placed in concussion protocol and will not be playing tonight against the Dallas Stars. He was injured during a play against the Edmonton Oilers when Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm through a hit along the boards during the second period.

On the flip side, he mentioned that he is considered day-to-day and that he was able to skate and workout afterwards. Rantanen is certainly a vital component to the Avalanche offence as he has played 77 games, scoring 40 goals with 62 assists for 102 points and as a + 20.




Tonight's game is a pivotal one for both teams as the Stars and the Avalanche are in a race for first in the central. The Avalanche remain 3 points behind the stars at both have 77 games played. With their playoff spots clinched now both teams are playing for home ice advantage which is important to the avalanche as they have 29 wins at home.

As for the Oilers, they won their game last night against the Calgary Flames 4-2 and remain 3 points behind the Pacific leader the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers still have a shot at the Pacific as they hold one game in hand of the Canucks which sets up April 13th as an important game as both teams collide next Saturday night.