Blake’s Season in Jeopardy

Defenseman Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche might be sidelined the remainder of the regular season because of a right knee sprain suffered in Tuesday night’s 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, team spokesman Jean Martineau said.

Martineau said he couldn’t be more specific about the possible length of Blake’s absence and is listing the former King captain only as “expected to miss the next few weeks.”

The regular season ends April 8 and the playoffs are scheduled to begin three days later. The Avalanche leads the NHL with 107 points.

*

An agreement was completed that authorizes the World Anti-Doping Agency to test all NHL players who will participate in the Salt Lake City Olympics. However, in a concession to the NHL and players’ union, the random, no-advance-notice testing for performance-enhancing drugs won’t begin until the Stanley Cup playoffs are completed. . . . Minnesota Wild Coach Jacques Lemaire and General Manager Doug Risebrough were fined $5,000 each for criticizing a referee after an overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on March 11.