Burakovsky and Compher on Covid list *Kuemper now too; Avs game in Nashville still ON

Can you skate backward? If so, please submit your resumes tonight to Avalanche coach Jared Bednar and whoever is coaching the Nashville Predators.

The Predators will be missing eight regular players because of Covid protocol tonight against the Avs, and the Avs will now be missing three players as well to the list. That’s because Andre Burakovsky and J.T. Compher were both added to the Covid list today.

Coach Jared Bednar said both are asymptomatic, meaning they only need two negative tests in a row to get back out there – and with the NHL now doing enhanced testing procedures (once a day instead of once every three days), they could be back as soon as Saturday.

But for tonight, they’re out, which means Bednar will have to play just 11 forwards and six defensemen against the Predators, who will have a lineup nearly half composed of guys from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

#Preds players in COVID protocol going into tonight's game vs Avs: Nick Cousins, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Johansen, Michael McCarron, Philip Tomasino, Matt Luff, Ben Harpur.
Preds coaches in protocol: HC John Hynes; assistants Dan Hinote, Dan Lambert, Todd Richards, Ben Vanderklok. https://t.co/U0Jbz1YQMZ

— John Glennon (@glennonsports) December 16, 2021

Pretty much the entire Nashville coaching staff is on the Covid list, so it remains a mystery as to exactly who will be behind the players on the bench tonight.

For the Avs, they are now without Burakovsky, Compher and Devon Toews to the Covid list, in addition to missing Gabe Landeskog and Bo Byram already.

Bednar said Darcy Kuemper will start in net for the Avs. New call-up Jordan Gross be be in the lineup on defense, while Kurtis MacDermid will play as a forward.

UPDATE: Well, scratch that. Right before the game tonight, the Avs announced that Kuemper tested positive and was entered into the protocol. Pavel Francouz gets the start.

This should be a very interesting game.

As of now, the Avs are still -180 favorites to win at SuperBook Colorado.