Brad Stuart (leg) will not play in Saturday's regular-season finale against the Blackhawks, Terry Frei of the Denver Post reports.

Stuart (leg) will not play in Saturday's regular-season finale against the Blackhawks, Terry Frei of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

Stuart sustained the injury in Thursday's game against the Jets, and with the Avalanche already out of the running for a playoff spot, the team made the quick determination to shut him down for the remainder of the season. At present, the Avalanche only have five healthy blueliners at their disposal, so expect them to announce an AHL call-up Friday or Saturday in the wake of Stuart's absence.