Sunday NHL Notes: Will David Perron Play?

Cloaked in mystery right now is the status of St. Louis Blues 2021 leading scorer David Perron, who on Saturday was placed on the NHL’s Covid-19 protocol list. What remains unknown at this hour? Whether Perron actually tested positive for the virus, or whether he was just exposed through contact tracing. Or, as was the case with Blues players Sammy Blais and Zach Sanford this season, whether he received a false positive result from a test.

We might – or might not – know the answers today. The Blues flew into Denver yesterday and are slated to practice today here. With 19 goals and 38 assists, including seven points in eight games against the Avs, Perron was the Blues’ leading scorer, ahead of Ryan O’Reilly’s 54 points.

Two Avs players – Hunter Miska and Shane Bowers – had false-positive tests this season. So, the possibility is there that Perron could well be in the lineup for Game 1 tomorrow night. John Shannon, longtime NHL media guy, tweeted that Perron would need to test negative twice within a 24-hour period to be taken off the Covid list. Presumably, Perron will be getting those tests before Game 1. Jake Walman and Nathan Walker also are on the Blues’ Covid list.

I think it’s very important for the Avs not to get caught up in any “will he or won’t he play?” drama regarding Perron. They have to just focus on themselves and their game, and not worry either way who is in their lineup. Frankly, I don’t like playing teams missing a good player, because you know the rest of that team is going to try that much harder and, with any success, develop an underdog mentality that can be tough to stop sometimes.

OTHER LINKS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

• Good column here from former colleague Ben Hochman on O’Reilly, with some quotes in it from John-Michael Liles (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Avs locker room picture after winning the Presidents’ Trophy the other night:

Happy group pic.twitter.com/Q0Cuh4l8kg

— Adrian Dater (@adater) May 16, 2021

• As I reported earlier, Conor Timmins was hurt from a slap shot to the foot in the season finale. I guess we can see which foot, in that picture. We’ll get an update from the coach today on Timmins’ status.
• There is one free agent in particular Larry Brooks thinks the Rangers should target this summer (NY Post)
• NYI Hockey Now: Semyon Varlamov was questionable to start the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he practiced–full go– on Saturday. 
• Could Philadelphia’s Nolan Patrick ask to be traded? NHL trade rumors are growing. 
• Former Av Craig Anderson turned back the clock yesterday for the Caps (Boston Hockey Now)
• Playoff predictions, including mine, from the National Hockey Now panel of writers. Don’t be alarmed by my picks, Avs fan (Boston Hockey Now)
• TSN: Drew Doughty all-but torched his LA Kings and demanded changes this summer.
• San Jose Hockey Now: It’s been a rough season for Evander Kane. Financial issues and racial justice advocacy came to the fore, but he also had a pretty good season on the ice. San Jose expects him to be back in teal next year. 
• The Panthers are amped to take on the Lightning in the first round (Florida Hockey Now)