Matt Duchene is still reeling from what he describes as a “pretty viscous” hit he absorbed from Jacob Trouba Friday night.
The Colorado Avalanche star will miss his third straight game Thursday, versus Dallas, as he deals with the concussion suffered as a result of the collision, which also chipped one tooth, loosened another, and blurred Duchene’s vision.
Duchene told Denver reporters he was “shocked” there was no penalty called on the play. There was no supplementary discipline for the Winnipeg Jets defenceman either.
Watch the hit:
Duchene passed a baseline test Wednesday, when he returned to practice, and said he was close to returning. With 11 points in 13 games, the forward’s production is needed in the lineup.
“I thought it was pretty vicious,” Duchene said. “I knew where [Trouba] was, and he kind of threw his arm out in desperation. I think it was an unfortunate reaction, but it caught me in the head, chipped a tooth, knocked a tooth loose as well, and obviously gave me a concussion.
“I obviously wasn’t too thrilled with that play.”
The struggling Avalanche will also be without captain Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) for Thursday’s divisional matchup. A.J. Greer will draw into the Avs’ top line.
