One of the surprise stories in the NHL early this season may have just taken an unfortunate turn.
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton, who is tied for second in the league with seven goals, suffered an upper-body injury against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday and was ruled out prior to the third period.
After the game, Avs coach Jared Bednar told reporters Colton was slashed on the hand and will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Colton opened the scoring versus Utah for the Avs, recording his seventh goal in just eight games. He has been playing on Colorado’s top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen after an injury to Jonathan Drouin.
Colton, 28, had 17 goals and 23 assists in 80 games for the Avs last season.
His career-best goal total is 22 with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021-22.