The Colorado Avalanche are losing their leading playoff goal scorer.
Right wing Valeri Nichushkin, who has nine goals in the Avalanche's eight playoff games this season, was placed in Stage 3 of the National Hockey League/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday night.
Colorado was preparing to host the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of a Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena in Denver later on Monday night.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Nichushkin, 29 had 28 goals and 53 points in 54 games during the regular season.
During a nine-season career with the Avalanche and the Dallas Stars, Nichushkin has 116 goals and 274 points in 512 games.
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