The hits keep coming for the suddenly shorthanded Colorado Avalanche. Defenseman Devon Toews will not play in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars because of an illness, a team spokesman confirmed after he did not take part in warmups at Ball Arena. The Avalanche is also going to be without Valeri Nichushkin, who was suspended for a minimum of six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance Program, the league and players association announced about an hour before Game 4. Toews is obviously a critical part of the Avalanche team.