Avalanche rookie center Tyson Jost won't play Friday against Anaheim at the Pepsi Center or in Dallas on Saturday because of a hyperextended knee and bone bruise.

"That buys him Sunday (a day off) as well," coach Jared Bednar said after the morning skate. "That gives him Monday to test it, participate in practice and try to get ready for Tuesday (in Nashville). I think it's fortunate there."

Jost was hurt Wednesday in the Avalanche's 6-3 win against Boston. He needed help off the ice in the second period after getting cross-checked by Adam McQuaid, but he managed to return and scored an empty-net goal.

Jost didn't practice Thursday or skate Friday.

Colin Wilson will move up to the third line in Jost's absence, and Matt Nieto will play on the fourth line after being a healthy scratch the past three games.

Jonathan Bernier will start in goal against his former Ducks teammates. He signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He went 21-7-4 in 39 games with Anaheim last season with a 2.50 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

"I think that whenever you play a team that you have a history with, there's an added incentive," Bednar said. "That's part of the reason he's playing tonight. It sets up an exciting game that he's pumped up to get into the net. We should be excited for him and dig in a little extra for him."

Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin likely has some incentive as well. He spent the past two seasons with the Avalanche, who bought out the final year of his three-year, $13.5 million contract on June 15. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Anaheim on Aug. 21.

The Ducks have some injury issues on defense and Beauchemin, 37, has been paired with Brandon Montour, 23, who's in his second NHL season. Beauchemin is averaging 18:12 in ice time and is plus-1 through four games.

Avalanche forward A.J. Greer has recovered from his concussion and was assigned to San Antonio of the AHL.

Here's the Avalanche lineup:

FORWARDS
Sven Andrighetto -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Alexander Kerfoot -- Matt Duchene -- Nail Yakupov
Gabriel Landeskog -- J.T. Compher -- Colin Wilson
Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau

DEFENSE
Nikita Zadorov -- Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth -- Tyson Barrie
Mark Barberio -- Chris Bigras

GOALIES
Jonathan Bernier
Semyon Varlamov



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