Matt Duchene leaves with left knee injury as Avalanche clinch playoff spot

By Amy Lilek

The Colorado Avalanchepunched their ticket to the playoffs today, but they did it without one of their key players.

Center Matt Duchene injured his left knee in a collision with teammate Jamie McGinn on his first shift just 32 seconds into the game against the San Jose Sharks. He limped straight to the bench but soon left for the dressing room and did not return.

After the game, coach Patrick Roy said Duchene would have an MRI tomorrow and the team would know more in coming days.

Duchene leads the Avalanche with 70 points on the season.