"Avalanche center Paul Stastny?, who scored the second Colorado goal in Sunday night's 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, left the game in the third period with what the team is calling a torso injury.

"We'll know more" today, Avs coach Joe Sacco said of his first-line center, who produced two shots in 15:41 before his injury.

E.J. returns.

The Avs eased defenseman Erik Johnson? back in the lineup after the former No. 1 overall draft pick missed the previous five games with a groin injury.

Johnson played 15:06, second-lowest among seven Colorado defensemen.

"As the game went on, I thought he got better," Sacco said."