The Avalanche lost defenseman Sam Girard to an apparent head injury just 1:49 into Game 3 on Saturday night. About five minutes later, St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington left the ice.
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Girard absorbed a violent check from Blues forward Ivan Barbashev from behind Colorado’s net. Girard’s head appeared to hit the glass and then the ice when he fell. During the first intermission, the Avs said Girard would not return. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Binnington might have sustained a leg injury at 6:46. He was bowled over in the crease by Blues defenseman Calle Rosen and Avs center Nazem Kadri. They were battling for a loose puck. Binnington was attended by a trainer and looked to have pain when he put pressure on his right leg.