Rantanen 'under evaluation for a while' after Ekholm hit

Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen will be "under evaluation for a while" after suffering an injury Friday against the Edmonton Oilers, head coach Jared Bednar told reporters postgame.

Rantanen was on the receiving end of a huge hit by Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm during the second period and didn't return. The collision visibly shook him up, and Colorado later ruled him out with an upper-body injury.

Mattias Ekholm lands a big hit on Mikko Rantanen, who has now left the game. pic.twitter.com/8GDB1luv0j

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2024

The referees didn't penalize Ekholm for the hit. Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson received a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct for challenging Ekholm afterward.

Rantanen, an indispensable cog for the Avs, has 40 goals and 62 assists in 77 games this season, reaching the 100-point mark for the second straight year. He also owns 87 points in 70 career postseason contests.

The Oilers won the game 6-2.

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