AVALANCHE WRAP: A look back at last night, a look ahead to tonight

First off, no, no new update on Devon Toews. He blocked a shot late in regulation of last night’s overtime win over Winnipeg and didn’t play from there. Jared Bednar said he thought Toews was “OK”, but hadn’t talked to the trainers.

The Avs did not have a morning skate in Edmonton today, so there just hasn’t been any availability with anyone to ask about Toews. Let’s hope for the best. I’ve watched the replay a few times of Toews blocking the shot by Mark Scheifele, and I can’t tell whether the puck his Toews’ legs or maybe got a hand or something else around the midsection. Toews got back up on his skates and tried to play on, but a goal was scored right after and he doubled over in pain again and left the game.

About last night: I really liked the PK. The additions of Sturm, Cogliano, Lehkonen and Josh Manson have made the PK much better.

Yeah, the Jets scored on a PPG to tie it late, thanks to a dumb cross check by Mikko Rantanen and a failed clearout by Nico Sturm. But otherwise, the new PK unit did a nice job. They’ll be tested again tonight when they play Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

Darcy Kuemper is expected to get the start in net for Colorado. Sam Girard also is expected to make his return tonight. Maybe he gives Toews a night off either way? As I’ve said all along, injuries are the biggest threat to the Avs’ playoff chances right now. But it’s tough to just call guys up from the minors and rest guys, because of salary cap hassles. That’s why it might have made sense to put Gabe Landeskog on LTIR, for better cap flexibility, but the Avs didn’t do it.

On the injury front: Nazem Kadri and Ryan Murray both skated in Denver this morning. I still haven’t heard that Landeskog is skating yet.

See you tonight.