Avalanche All-Star Nathan MacKinnon out at least three games with facial fracture, concussion

In one of the least surprising NHL reports of the week, it was learned Thursday that Colorado Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon was dealing with at least a broken nose following a crunching hit delivered by Bruins forward Taylor Hall that bloodied MacKinnon's face early in the first period of Wednesday's game. 

MacKinnon's status moving forward was unclear at the time, but it's now known he won't return to the ice anytime soon. 

According to Rick Sadowski of the NHL's website, MacKinnon has been diagnosed with a facial fracture and concussion that will leave the 26-year-old out of action for at least Colorado's next three games leading into the All-Star break. MacKinnon was voted Central Division captain for the All-Star Game, and his status for the exhibition was unclear as of Friday afternoon.

Per Sean Leahy of NBC Sports, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said after Wednesday's contest that he "didn’t love" the hit that knocked his player out indefinitely. 

"Whether it’s really solid or just a glancing blow, it’s the type of hit the league is trying to get rid of," Bednar added. 

Hall initially earned a major penalty for his crime but had that lessened to a minor because video replays showed MacKinnon was hit with his own stick on the play. As for MacKinnon, he becomes a spectator while sitting third on the team with 43 points and second with 34 assists. 

The first-place Avalanche (30-8-3) play at the seventh-place Chicago Blackhawks (16-20-7) on Friday night.