Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday that forward Artturi Lehkonen will miss four to six weeks with a broken finger.
Lehkonen, 27, recorded a two-goal game and picked up an assist in an 8-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Monday night before being pulled from the game around the 12:57 mark of the middle frame due to injury. It was later reported that Lehkonen would have surgery on his broken finger. He has notched a career-high 20 goals and 49 points in 62 games this season.
The Finnish winger was also in his first game against the Canadiens since being traded at the 2021 trade deadline. Habs fans gave a warm reception and standing ovation for Lehkonen when a tribute video was shown on the jumbotron. Lehkonen spent six years with the Habs organization before joining the Avalanche and recording 14 points in 20 playoff games as the Avs captured the Stanley Cup.
The Canadiens originally selected Lehkonen in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He was instrumental in the Canadiens reaching the 2021 Stanley Cup Final in dramatic fashion, scoring in overtime to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights on home ice. In 474 career games with the Canadiens and Avalanche, Lekhonen has collected 100 goals and 207 points. He’s added 14 goals and 26 points in 53 games spread over four playoff runs.
The Avalanche currently sit third in the Central Division with a record of 37-22-6 and a points percentage of .615%. They trail four points behind the Minnesota Wild and seven points behind the first-place Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
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