Forsberg expected to play in Game 3 despite absence from practice
When Peter Forsberg misses a practice ? as he did Sunday ? there is no outrage, no "We're talkin' 'bout practice" eruptions like the celebrated one by Nuggets guard Allen Iverson when he was a Philadelphia 76er.
As Avalanche fans know, it is more of a surprise when Forsberg does practice than when he doesn't. So it was with a shrug that Avs players reacted when discussing Forsberg's latest absence. Avs coach Joel Quenneville said Forsberg had a "maintenance" day and is likely to play in tonight's Game 3 of a playoff series with the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center.
"We're used to it," Forsberg's linemate Milan Hej- duk said when asked if it is a disadvantage not to be practicing much with Forsberg. "This is kind of the way it's always been, even in the years past. That's the way it is with him. Sometimes little things bother him."
Forsberg, unavailable for comment Sunday, will face his biggest physical test since returning to the Avalanche. Assuming he plays tonight, Forsberg won't have much rest for Game 4, which is Tuesday night. He has yet to play in back-to-back games since returning. Forsberg said he felt good after Friday's Game 2, but he has said that after games before and then missed the next one.
"I haven't seen anyone not practice so much and still play at a high level like he is," Hej- duk said. "In the past, it was the same thing. He was unbelievable."
Forsberg's other linemate, Paul Stastny, said, "If you need the rest, you need the rest," and said the lack of practice time isn't a problem.
"You don't want anyone forcing any more injuries," said Stastny, still searching for his first point of the series. "You don't want to push it in practice. It's better to save it for the game."
Stastny is eager to get his first career playoff point. He had two shots on goal in the first two games but thinks better things will come.
"As long as I keep battling hard and keep creating chances, things will happen," he said. "We got a big split in Minny, so now I'm excited for (tonight)."
Ian Laperriere also did not practice. But Quenneville said everybody who played Friday is likely to play tonight, and that includes rookie David Jones.
Jones made a quick recovery from a left ankle injury, practicing at what seemed to be full speed after departing from Xcel Energy Center on Friday night in a walking cast.
"It hurt a lot in the game, and I couldn't finish it," Jones said. "But that day off really took care of it. I iced it all day, and it feels great."
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Spotlight on Ryan Smyth: So far in the playoffs, the Avalanche's considerable offseason investment in the veteran left winger is looking good.
Smyth was excellent in the first two games, creating havoc in front of the Wild net and making smart plays with the puck. His 10 shots on goal lead the team. "We have to use our home ice to our advantage now," Smyth said Sunday. "We've done that all year."
Notebook
Avalanche: Entering Sunday, goalie Jose Theodore's .918 playoff save percentage ranked ninth in the NHL. . . . The Avs are 2-for-5 on the power play against Minnesota. . . . Forward Scott Parker, out since late in the season with a right ankle injury, returned to practice Sunday. He is unlikely to play in the series unless other injuries occur, but he appeared strong on his skates at practice.
Wild: Defenseman Nick Schultz (appendectomy) has resumed skating, but won't play tonight and remains doubtful to play in the series. Schultz told Minnesota reporters Saturday he was shooting toward returning in the next round if the Wild advances. . . . Forward Branko Radivojevic (right leg) did not practice Sunday and was seen wearing a brace on his knee. The Wild gave conflicting information on his status for tonight, with coach Jacques Lemaire saying he would not play and general manager Doug Risebrough saying it's still possible he might.
When Peter Forsberg misses a practice ? as he did Sunday ? there is no outrage, no "We're talkin' 'bout practice" eruptions like the celebrated one by Nuggets guard Allen Iverson when he was a Philadelphia 76er.
As Avalanche fans know, it is more of a surprise when Forsberg does practice than when he doesn't. So it was with a shrug that Avs players reacted when discussing Forsberg's latest absence. Avs coach Joel Quenneville said Forsberg had a "maintenance" day and is likely to play in tonight's Game 3 of a playoff series with the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center.
"We're used to it," Forsberg's linemate Milan Hej- duk said when asked if it is a disadvantage not to be practicing much with Forsberg. "This is kind of the way it's always been, even in the years past. That's the way it is with him. Sometimes little things bother him."
Forsberg, unavailable for comment Sunday, will face his biggest physical test since returning to the Avalanche. Assuming he plays tonight, Forsberg won't have much rest for Game 4, which is Tuesday night. He has yet to play in back-to-back games since returning. Forsberg said he felt good after Friday's Game 2, but he has said that after games before and then missed the next one.
"I haven't seen anyone not practice so much and still play at a high level like he is," Hej- duk said. "In the past, it was the same thing. He was unbelievable."
Forsberg's other linemate, Paul Stastny, said, "If you need the rest, you need the rest," and said the lack of practice time isn't a problem.
"You don't want anyone forcing any more injuries," said Stastny, still searching for his first point of the series. "You don't want to push it in practice. It's better to save it for the game."
Stastny is eager to get his first career playoff point. He had two shots on goal in the first two games but thinks better things will come.
"As long as I keep battling hard and keep creating chances, things will happen," he said. "We got a big split in Minny, so now I'm excited for (tonight)."
Ian Laperriere also did not practice. But Quenneville said everybody who played Friday is likely to play tonight, and that includes rookie David Jones.
Jones made a quick recovery from a left ankle injury, practicing at what seemed to be full speed after departing from Xcel Energy Center on Friday night in a walking cast.
"It hurt a lot in the game, and I couldn't finish it," Jones said. "But that day off really took care of it. I iced it all day, and it feels great."
--
Spotlight on Ryan Smyth: So far in the playoffs, the Avalanche's considerable offseason investment in the veteran left winger is looking good.
Smyth was excellent in the first two games, creating havoc in front of the Wild net and making smart plays with the puck. His 10 shots on goal lead the team. "We have to use our home ice to our advantage now," Smyth said Sunday. "We've done that all year."
Notebook
Avalanche: Entering Sunday, goalie Jose Theodore's .918 playoff save percentage ranked ninth in the NHL. . . . The Avs are 2-for-5 on the power play against Minnesota. . . . Forward Scott Parker, out since late in the season with a right ankle injury, returned to practice Sunday. He is unlikely to play in the series unless other injuries occur, but he appeared strong on his skates at practice.
Wild: Defenseman Nick Schultz (appendectomy) has resumed skating, but won't play tonight and remains doubtful to play in the series. Schultz told Minnesota reporters Saturday he was shooting toward returning in the next round if the Wild advances. . . . Forward Branko Radivojevic (right leg) did not practice Sunday and was seen wearing a brace on his knee. The Wild gave conflicting information on his status for tonight, with coach Jacques Lemaire saying he would not play and general manager Doug Risebrough saying it's still possible he might.
