Valeri Nichushkin was scratched from the Avalanche’s 5-2 win over Washington due to a car accident on icy roads. Coach Jared Bednar confirmed the forward suffered minor injuries and is being monitored.

The incident occurred during Monday’s commute to the rink following overnight snowfall. Bednar described it as a multi-vehicle fender bender, serious enough to bench Nichushkin as a precaution.

Colorado improved to 20-15-4 with the victory, paced by Nathan MacKinnon’s 1,100th career point. Nichushkin, who missed eight games earlier with a lower-body injury, has 11 goals and 16 assists this season.

His absence comes at a critical time as the Avalanche push for playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference. Depth forwards will need to step up if he remains sidelined.