Avalanche Hopeful To Have Manson and Injured Forwards Back This Week

With four games left until the end of the regular season, the Avalanche are hoping to get all of their injured regulars back in action before the playoffs begin. This includes Jonathan Drouin, Martin Necas, Samuel Girard, and Josh Manson.

“Still day-to-day for all of them, hoping to get all of them playing this week at some point,” head coach Jared Bednar said following Monday’s practice. “We’re evaluating all those guys daily to see when we can get them back in the lineup.”

None of them have been ruled out for Tuesday’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights, although it’s unlikely they’ll play.

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Drouin suffered a lower-body injury against the Chicago Blackhawks last week and missed the last two games of the road trip. He was also absent for the final two periods and overtime in Chicago. Necas, who was hurt in the same game, finished the night and scored a goal before missing two games with soreness. Necas’ head collided with a Blackhawks player and goalie Scott Wedgewood in the Avs’ crease.

Girard was absent for all three games with a lower-body injury, and Manson hasn’t played since March 14 at Calgary. He’s missed the last 14 games with this latest ailment in what has been a difficult year for the 33-year-old.

Manson and Necas were both donning red non-contact sweaters at practice. Girard was wearing the usual black for defensemen, but he only remained out there for half of the skate before departing early. Drouin did not skate.