The Avalanche on Friday got its head coach back from COVID protocol but Jared Bednar will be without another key player in Saturday’s game against visiting St. Louis.
In addition to star center Nathan MacKinnon (COVID protocol) and linemate Gabe Landeskog (suspension), Bednar said second-line winger Valeri Nichushkin will not play Saturday. He is “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury, sustained Wednesday in the 4-2 opening-night win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Forwards Darren Helm and Andre Burakovsky also didn’t practice Friday due to minor injuries but Bednar said they both are probable against the Blues. Helm attempted to practice before leaving before the first drill.