The Avalanche got a little bit of bad news prior to their game tonight vs the Canucks, as Nathan MacKinnon won't play, and he could be done for the regular season. Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon might be <a href='https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3263610/mackinnon-out-vs-canucks-could-miss-rest-of-regular-season' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>out for the rest of the regular season</a>, coach Jared Bednar revealed. Speaking to reporters Thursday ahead of a game against the Vancouver Canucks, Bednar told reporters that MacKinnon had incurred a minor injury and would not play tonight. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/cmasisak22/status/1910380199239389304'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> The team is also taking it slow with the playoffs approaching. Colorado is basically secured in the third position in the Central Division and will likely be forced to meet the Dallas Stars in round one. Bednar indicated that <a href='https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/player/nathan-mackinnon-8477492' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>MacKinnon</a> could be cleared to play during this week's games against the Kings and Ducks, but does not expect that to happen. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/denvergazsports/status/1910393845461684284'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <h3>MacKinnon will likely no longer win the Art Ross Trophy with this time away</h3> MacKinnon's absence would be detrimental to the Art Ross Trophy race, where he is tied with Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov with 116 points. But winning in the playoffs is what counts more, and sometimes, personal accolades need to be put aside for the benefit of team success. MacKinnon is not looking for scoring championships, anyway, and would much rather a Stanley Cup. His MVP (Hart Trophy) candidacy will be hurt, but it's one risk worth taking. Getting the rest now will give MacKinnon nine or ten days off <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/news/winnipeg-jets-and-edmonton-oilers-first-round-of-the-playoffs-start-date-leaks' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>before the playoffs begin on April 19 or 20</a>. It's his first game missed since December of 2022, snapping a 200-game regular-season streak. With little to be gained from these final three games, it is a good move by the Avalanche to prioritize health over season-ending statistics.