Kadri left Game 3 after taking a cross-check from Evander Kane, who drew a one-game suspension for the hit.

“It was great for the team.”Ī blow to the team would be the potential loss of Kadri and Cogliano. Louis series, which the Avalanche won in six games. He did say he was seeing the puck “really good.” In the Nashville series, Kuemper was poked through his mask with a stick that caught him near his eye. Kuemper wouldn’t divulge the precise nature of his injury. Francouz was in net the rest of the series as the Avalanche earned a spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001. Kuemper was the starter before exiting the first game against Edmonton with an upper-body injury. Bednar was mum on which one would be in net for Game 1. They talked some strategy before taking shots on goaltenders Pavel Francouz and Darcy Kuemper. This was a practice session dedicated to getting back up to speed on the heels of a travel day back from Edmonton - finishing a sweep of Connor McDavid and the Oilers - and an off day. “If they need anything extra, then it’s up to them to go and get what they need on their own.” When we give them rest, we’ll give them rest,” coach Jared Bednar explained. “When we come to work, we’re going to work. They kept things condensed in front of fans - and kids attending a summer camp - during practice at their training facility, which houses laser tag, a climbing wall and arcade games on the other side of the rink. The Avalanche started their preliminary preparations Thursday even as they remain in a holding pattern. You have a little time to relax, but it’s just mentally making sure you’re refreshed and focused on the goal ahead.” Compher said of a break that could extend as long as nearly two weeks. “It’s good to get a little bit of rest,” forward J.T. This time off could be just the window they need to return to health. But they haven’t been ruled out from playing in the final, whenever that may be. Maybe of some concern were two more missing forwards: Nazem Kadri (thumb) and Andrew Cogliano (hand), who both recently underwent surgery. Just a maintenance day for that particular group of Avalanche players as they rest up - and wait - to face either the New York Rangers or two-time defending champion Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final.

DENVER (AP) - There were quite a few big names missing from the ice for Colorado’s practice on Thursday: Captain Gabriel Landeskog, defensemen Devon Toews and Josh Manson, forward Andre Burakovsky.

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