The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that veteran defenseman Brett Pesce will miss tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche due to a lower-body injury.

Carolina Hurricanes @ Colorado Avalanche: Lineups and Game Preview

Pesce' absence joins Sebastian Aho, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, and Frederik Andersen, who left early against the San Jose Sharks after taking a puck off the helmet.

The veteran defenseman, who has a goal and an assist on the season, is one of Carolina's best defenders. 

Him and partner Brady Skjei average the most even-strength ice time on the team and second-most penalty kill time getting perhaps the toughest matchups.

The team has already struggled with defending this season and the absence of Pesce will only compound that issue.

According to NaturalStatTrick.com, Pesce and Skjei have been on the ice for five goals for and only two against at even strength, which is by far the best rate on the team.

In addition, the pair have allowed the fewest chances against, goals against and expected goals against per 60 minutes of ice time.

In a stretch of poor defense, they've been the exception.

Carolina will hope that Pesce's problem is minor.

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