Nathan MacKinnon (LBI) out tonight against Detroit

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said this morning that No. 1 center Nathan MacKinnon will miss tonight’s game with the Detroit Red Wings because of a lower-body injury.

The injury is considered minor, with the expectation he may only miss the one game. Nonetheless, the Avs will be without their top forward against the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.

Bednar said Pavel Francouz will get the start in goal against Detroit.

The Red Wings may also be without a top player; captain Dylan Larkin will be a “game-time decision”, coach Jeff Blashill said.

Bednar said MacKinnon’s injury has been lingering for a while.

Here is the Avs’ lineup for tonight:

Landeskog-Rantanen-Nichushkin

Newhook-Kadri-Burakovsky

Jost-Compher-Kubel

MacDermid-Helm-O’Connor

D

Toews-Makar

J. Johnson-Girard

Murray-E. Johnson

Francouz

NOTEBOOK: The Avs are -240 favorites to beat Detroit on the moneyline, at SuperBook Colorado. Avs are +105 on the puck line (win by two or more goals). … Bo Byram skated again today at the Avs’ practice facility, for the second day in a row. …