Avalanche Takes to Practice Ahead of Wednesday Night's Matchup

The Colorado Avalanche conducted practice on Tuesday morning at Family Sport Center after its 4-1 win against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
Having also picked up a 4-3 victory at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, the Avalanche seeks to continue its win streak on Wednesday when it hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ball Arena.
Mikko Rantanen took to the ice 45 minutes prior to the start of practice in a red, non-contact jersey. He was joined by Valeri Nichushkin, also in a non-contact jersey, before the session as both forwards skated on their own.

J.T. Compher joined Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog on the top line, while Rantanen is out with a lower-body injury.
"I mean, first off, it's an exciting opportunity. I've done this a couple of times over my few years here," Compher stated. "I know they play with so much pace and competitiveness and I just got to go in and continue to play my game, not try and be [Rantanen] or [Andre Burakovsky]. Just go be myself, and be as tenacious on the forecheck and get those guys the puck as much as possible."
Compher is producing at a point-per-game pace this year, having four goals and four assists through Colorado's first eight games.
"I think he's being more assertive in some of the areas that we need him to be, he's getting rewarded for it," head coach Jared Bednar said about Compher's play so far this season. "It's a great opportunity for him on the number one power play to get some real good looks in there."

For the first full squad practice since Saturday's matchup, the team focused on five-on-five drills for the full 45 minutes. There was an optional skate on Sunday, with Monday as an off day.
With only 10 forwards participating in practice, defensemen Jacob MacDonald and Kurtis MacDermid filled in up front. MacDonald has played as a forward in the team's past two outings and was on a line with Jayson Megna. MacDermid took reps with Megna and MacDonald as a wing while also participating as a d-man in some drills.
Cale Makar was not on the ice for the session and will not play in Wednesday's game, he is out with an upper-body ailment.
"Up until this point, I have kind of liked what we've had going on the D core," Bednar remarked after practice. "You know, I think [Bowen] Byram and Makar have been a real good pair together. You know, [Samuel] Girard and [Erik] Johnson. I've liked the look of [Jack Johnson] and [Ryan Murray] together.
"But you know, missing [Devon] Toews is a big piece, right? It's a top pair guy that plays in all situations, but the emergence of Byram and the way he's been able to elevate his game right from the start of the regular season until this point, it's been consistent. It's been really good. Very similar to Toews in a lot of ways, can contribute at both ends of the ice. So, that's been a nice piece that's filled in there. I'd love to get them all back and playing together because I think we're real deep and I think that's a strength of our team."
Bednar noted he plans to start Jonas Johannsson in net for tomorrow's game. Johannsson has had one previous start this season, against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 21. In this start, he totaled 34 saves and 3 goals against for a 0.919 save percentage.
INJURY UPDATES
After practice Bednar listed the injuries the team faces. Starting with Andre Burakovsky, he is doubtful for Wednesday's game, as he did not finish the game Saturday.
Cale Makar did not practice and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Devon Toews is not available for Wednesday's contest against Columbus, but is possible for the matchup in Columbus on Saturday. Valeri Nichushkin needs at least one more week before returning. Pavel Francouz is still considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
LINE COMBINATIONS
92 Gabriel Landeskog - 29 Nathan MacKinnon - 37 J.T. Compher
75 Sampo Ranta - 91 Nazem Kadri - 25 Logan O'Connor
43 Darren Helm - 17 Tyson Jost - 61 Martin Kaut
12 Jayson Megna - 26 Jacob MacDonald
Defensemen: 3 Jack Johnson, 4 Bowen Byram, 6 Erik Johnson, 7 Devon Toews, 28 Ryan Murray, 49 Samuel Girard, 56 Kurtis MacDermid
31 Jonas Johannsson
35 Darcy Kuemper