Avalanche's Lehkonen out at least 4-6 weeks with broken finger

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen will miss at least four-to-six weeks after suffering a broken finger Monday against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Jared Bednar announced Tuesday, according to Altitude TV's Vic Lombardi.

"It'll be four-to-six weeks. Maybe more," Bednar said. "It's a huge loss."

Bednar added: "Good thing is it's his finger. It's his top hand, and he can continue to train."

Colorado's final regular-season game is on April 14, so Lehkonen may be able to suit up before the playoffs begin. He could miss most of the first round if his recovery is closer to six weeks.

Bednar isn't certain when the winger got hurt but said it happened at some point when Lehkonen was struck by a shot, according to the Denver Post's Bennett Durando.

The 27-year-old was enjoying a career year with the defending champions, who acquired him in a trade with the Canadiens on deadline day in 2022.

Lehkonen got a warm welcome in his return to Montreal on Monday as the Bell Centre crowd gave him a standing ovation right before he scored the first of his two goals in the first period. However, the Finn exited and didn't return after playing four shifts in the second frame.

He added an assist in the win, bringing his totals up to 20 tallies and 29 helpers along with what would be a career high in average ice time (20:45) in 62 games this season. Lehkonen had been playing on the top line until recently.

Colorado has dealt with a slew of injuries this season and is still without captain Gabriel Landeskog, who's missed the entire campaign following knee surgery.

Lehkonen played his first five-plus seasons with the Canadiens, who drafted him 55th overall in 2013.