Avs’ Mikko Rantanen leaves game vs. Oilers with upper-body injury

Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen left Friday night’s 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers following a massive hit from Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm in the second period.

The incident occurred around the 16:00 minute mark of the second period when Ekholm caught Rantanen with a big shoulder-to-shoulder hit, sending Rantanen into the boards. Ekholm was then challenged by both Erik Johnson and Brandon Duhaime on separate occasions but did not drop the gloves.

There was no penalty called on the play, Rantanen would need help off the ice from Avs’ medical staff as he was shaky heading to the locker room.

Mikko Rantanen will not return to tonight's game due to an upper body injury.

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 6, 2024

The 27-year-old has notched 40 goals and 61 assists for 101 points in 77 games this season. Rantanen ranks second in goals, third in assists and second in points on Colorado. Leaguewide, he ranks 11th in goals, seventh in assists and seventh in points. Rantanen is currently on pace for 109 points which would set career highs across the board. Rantanen notched 55 goals and 105 points during the 2022-23 campaign.

Rantanen is currently in year five of a six-year $55.5 million contract extension he signed with Colorado in 2019. His contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $9.25 million. Throughout his career, the Finnish forward has notched 260 goals and 614 points in 567 games over nine seasons.

Colorado currently ranks second in the Central Division with a 48-23-6 record and 102 points through 77 games. The Avs trail three points back of the first place Dallas Stars and four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets, they clinched the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

The Avs are set to face off against the Dallas Stars on Sunday and the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.