Denver - March 9, 2019 - Gabriel Landeskog will be out 4-6 weeks for the Colorado Avalanche with an upper-body injury.

The forward was injured in a collision with Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop in the third period of a 4-0 loss on Thursday.

"It's a huge loss for our team," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said after practice Friday. "That's the second forward we've lost for the remainder of the season, the regular season. Both guys are impact guys for us, [Matt] Nieto and now Landy."

The timeline likely means Landeskog won't return until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, should the Avalanche qualify. Colorado (29-27-12) is four points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.

Landeskog has set NHL career highs in points (69) and goals (33) in 68 games this season, ranking second on the team in goals behind Nathan MacKinnon (34), and third in points behind Mikko Rantanen (85) and MacKinnon (84).

"It's a big loss, but we can't look back anymore," Rantanen said. "It's happened and now a lot of guys have to fill some spots and take bigger roles. There's guys that can do that and we're going to go with what we have. ... He's our captain, a key player and a key leader. It's time for other guys to step up."

Bednar said Derick Brassard would take Landeskog's spot on the top line with MacKinnon at center when the Avalanche host the Buffalo Sabres at Pepsi Center on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; ALT, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL.TV). J.T. Compher was the right wing on that line at practice.

"Every time we miss a guy, you're looking for other guys that can possibly step in and do that job or you have to rearrange things," Bednar said. "We're going to try and rearrange some things and see if we can't find some magic with guys split up on different lines and see if guys can elevate their game.

"It's going to be a great opportunity for some guys. We need some guys to step up now and elevate their game. ... Everyone will get a little more opportunity. We'll just have to fill in by committee."