The Colorado Avalanche played most of Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars with five defensemen after Erik Johnson broke a leg blocking Tyler Seguin's shot in the second period.
The team said that Johnson will be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
"Injuries are no excuse, but it helps to have some of those guys in the lineup," coach Jared Bednar said. "You're missing a pair on 'D.' I still can't help but feel we have more to give. .. You still have to stick with it and work through it.