| | DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche's charge into the NHL playoffs took a hit Saturday when they learned that star center Peter Forsberg will be sidelined indefinitely with a separated right shoulder.
| |  | | | Forsberg |
"The length of his rehabilitation is still unknown, but we're expecting a full recovery," trainer Pat Karns said.
Forsberg will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale against Detroit.
Forsberg missed the first 23 games of this season following surgery on his left shoulder, which was injured in the sixth game of the Stanley Cup semifinals against Dallas.
He was hurt again Friday night when slammed into the boards by Calgary defenseman Brad Werenka in the second period of a 3-1 victory over the Flames.
"It worried me a little, but I don't think it's too serious," Forsberg said after the game, his shoulder in a sling.
Forsberg missed nine other games this season because of a hip pointer, concussion and bruised left shoulder. "It hasn't been my year, but there's still two months to go," Forsberg said.
"You work 81 games to get to the playoffs, then you see one of your best players go down," coach Bob Hartley said. "Obviously, it is not a good feeling."
Colorado's victory over Calgary was its seventh in a row.
The Avalanche, having secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, will meet sixth-seeded Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs, beginning either Wednesday or Thursday in Denver. | |
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