Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenceman Cale Makar both exited their team’s game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night and did not return.
The Avalanche announced during the third period that both players left due to lower-body injuries.
Makar was injured in the second period when he suddenly favoured his right leg before returning to the bench and getting worked on in the locker room.
He returned for a 25-second shift and stayed on the bench until the end of the period but did not return for the third.
The reigning Norris Trophy winner has five goals and 23 points in 18 games while leading the Avalanche by averaging 22:54 of ice time entering Thursday’s action.
MacKinnon took a stick in the hip area from Senators defenceman Artem Zub and appeared in significant pain while heading to the bench.
He left with five minutes remaining in the second period and did not return for the third.
The 6-foot centre has 10 goals and 30 points in 19 games this season.
Colorado ended up falling to the Senator 4-3 in overtime on Thursday
The Avalanche are tied with the Nashville Predators for second in the Central Division with a 11-6-3 record
Colorado completes their Eastern Canada road swing against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday before travelling to Utah to take on the Mammoth on Wednesday to end their four-game road trip.