Eurolanche

Avalanche star forward Matt Duchene will be out of the lineup a minimum of four weeks because of a left knee injury, the team said Friday evening.

Duchene, 20, suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game with the Phoenix Coyotes, after getting his skate caught in a rut while checking Rostislav Klesla.

The Avs cautioned the four weeks is a minimum, and could be longer.

Further tests are likely to be required once some swelling goes down to the knee, but for now the Avs are cautiously optimistic it won't be a longer-term, season-ending injury.

Duchene had missed only three games previously in his NHL career. The Avs will not recall any player from Lake Erie (AHL) in his absence for now, as winger David Jones may return to the lineup Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

-- by Adrian Dater for Denver Post --