Avalanche's Matt Duchene Leaves Game With Knee Injury, Will Not Return

For the moment, the Colorado Avalanche are without their leading goal scorer, as center Matt Duchene has left tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes with a right knee injury. He will not return.

Duchene's injury occurred early in the game -- 7:55 into the first period, he was credited with a hit on Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla in the neutral zone, but his right skate was caught on the ice and he injured his knee. He skated back to the Avs' bench on his own power and then went immediately to the locker room.

The 20-year-old Duchene is in his third season with the Avalanche; he leads the team with 12 goals in 39 games. He was the third overall pick in the 2009 draft and a first-time All-Star in 2011.