Avalanche “unlikely” to have defenseman Josh Manson in Game 4

The Colorado Avalanche probably won’t have a key defenseman in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Josh Manson is “unlikely” to play per head coach Jared Bednar as the Avs look for a Round 1 sweep.

Bednar said Manson is still sore after leaving Game 3 with an upper-body injury. He briefly returned in the second period, but it didn’t go well.

Manson was on the ice for a Kings goal to tie the game 1-1 and also committed a penalty on the play. He went down the tunnel again and this time didn’t come back, logging just 4:57 of ice time.

But the Avalanche won the game 4-2 and are now a victory away from moving on to the second-round of the NHL playoffs.

If Manson can’t go in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon, Nick Blankenburg will almost certainly slot in as Colorado’s final defenseman. He was a trade deadline acquisition who’s been squeezed out of the lineup because the Avalanche are loaded with defensive talent.

In a perfect world Colorado can complete the sweep without Manson and then he’ll be ready to go for Round 2 in about a week against either Dallas or Minnesota.

It’s the playoffs, guys are going to get beat up, but hopefully it’s not a long term situation for the Avalanche and Manson.

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