The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - February 24th, 2014

There has been a fairly significant break, so lets catch you up on a few things:

Alex Tanguay is done for the season.

"He's going to have surgery tomorrow on his hip, but the reason why he is out is for the knee," coach Patrick Roy said after practice Thursday. "The knee isn't doing better. I guess it's a mix of the hip and the knee."

In 16 games this season, 34-year-old Tanguay has four goals and 11 points.

"In the back of our minds, we were hoping not (on surgery), but at the same time with Alex in the lineup I think we are 15-1," Roy said. "He's an important player, but I think we did well without him."

Erik Johnson is suspended for two games.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had a phone hearing Tuesday morning with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his slash on Frans Nielsen of the New York Islanders Saturday night. The play earned a two minute minor during the Avs' 5-2 win on Long Island. But with the violent nature of his swing, supplemental discipline was needed.

When Avs return from the Olympic break on Feb. 26, they'll do so without Johnson for two games after he was suspended.

Personally, I felt bad for Backstrom...

Swedish centre Nicklas Backstrom failed a doping test for a substance found in an allergy medication and was withdrawn from Sunday’s hockey final at the Sochi Olympics.

Backstrom, who plays for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, was scratched just before the game began and had to watch Sweden’s 3-0 loss to Canada on TV.