Siemens, who was picked No. 11 overall by Colorado in the 2011 NHL Draft, has suited up in five games with the Avs during his pro career and understands the importance of the D-men upping their game a little more for the final 24 contests of the season.
"It's important that guys like myself and everybody in our locker room just steps up. Those are obviously big holes to fill," Siemens told ColoradoAvalanche.com on Monday. "Everybody knows how important E.J. is to this team. We are still right there, and we are in some tight hockey games and wins that we need to have. Everyone has just got to step up and find a way to get the job done."
The loss of Johnson and Lindholm comes at an inopportune time with the Avalanche fighting for a playoff spot in the standings. The club was also already down a rear guard as Mark Barberio has missed the last 11 contests with a lower-body ailment and hasn't been skating recently.
"It's a huge test. That's three of our top six that are out right now," Bednar said. "You got to find a way to keep things going or get things back on track without them. That's the nature of the business. Injuries, we can't control. It's definitely going to be a tough test for our group. Trying to simplify some things coming in and out of our zone. A lot more responsibility, even on our forwards, to make sure we're playing on the other end of the rink."
This will be the Avs' second of three meetings versus the Canucks this season, and the last game this season at Rogers Arena. Colorado hosts Vancouver in the series finale on Monday.