The Colorado Avalanche will be without forward Matt Duchene for three to four weeks following the ankle injury he suffered on March 6 during a game against the Minnesota Wild. After the team ruled out Duchene for Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators, the Avalanche announced on Thursday morning that Duchene could miss up to a month:

DUCHENE UPDATE: Matt Duchene suffered an ankle injury; no surgery required. Will be out approximately three to four weeks.

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 8, 2012

During the third period in that game, the Wild's Nick Palmieri skated in front of Duchene and had his skate hit into Duchene's right skate, causing Duchene's ankle to fly in a number of directions and then get caught in the ice. He needed help to get off the ice.

Given the time frame for his recovery (without surgery), Duchene still could miss the rest of the regular season. The final regular season game takes place on April 7.

For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey.