The center had nose surgery and will miss at least three regular-season games: a 6-4 win at the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, and home games against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday and the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.
"You lose a guy like Nate, you got to find a guy to fill in there," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Sunday. "We had a few guys take some of his minutes. We are hoping Nate is available after the (All-Star) break."
MacKinnon was voted captain of the Central Division for the All-Star Game. Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski will be Central captain in MacKinnon's absence and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi will replace him on the roster.
Colorado's first game following the break is Feb. 15 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
MacKinnon was injured when he was hit by Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall early in the first period of a 4-3 overtime win Wednesday. He was down on the ice for about a minute and was bleeding from his face before being helped to the locker room at 2:22. Hall hit MacKinnon while he was carrying the puck near the Colorado blue line.
MacKinnon was third on the Avalanche with 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 31 games.
"It's a big role to fill for our team, but you saw last game in the second and third (periods), guys were able to step up and fill that role, whether it's on that line or just producing offensively," Colorado defenseman Cale Makar said Friday. "It's tough having him out. Hopefully he can be back soon."
