Avs Use All-Star Break To Get Healthy

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--The NHL All-Star Break came at a good time for the Colorado Avalanche as it gave the club time between games for its players to get healthy.
Colorado had four injured players and two skaters out with illnesses in its last outing before the break, a 3-1 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

"We needed [the break]," said head coach Jared Bednar. "We had two, three, four guys out and then we got a couple guys sick going into a couple of those road games. Next thing you know, you are sitting with six guys out, six regulars out of your lineup. That's a chunk of your team. So, to be able to take the break and then get a handful of them back, and get the other guys a little bit closer, I think is important for our team. Especially now heading back out on the road."
Defenseman Tyson Barrie and goaltender Semyon Varlamov returned from their injuries as full participants in practice at Family Sports Center on Monday. Barrie has been out with a broken hand since Dec. 23, while Varlamov has been recovering from a lower-body injury since Jan. 2.
"It been a long month for me, so I am excited to get back out there and obviously the guys did an unbelievable job while I was out," said Barrie. "I have missed [13] games now, so it's been enough and I am excited to get back out there and try and help these guys however I can."

While Barrie has been healing his hand, the Avalanche had a 10-3-0 record and a 10-game win streak, the second longest in franchise history and the longest this season in the NHL. He could return to game action as soon as Tuesday when the Avalanche visit the Vancouver Canucks.
"He will be a decision tomorrow at some point," Bednar said of Barrie. "See how he comes through today's practice."
Varlamov went with the team on the trip to Canada, which will also include stops at the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. He will not be between the pipes in Vancouver as that will be netminder Jonathan Bernier's job, but he could return to the crease in Edmonton or Winnipeg.
"[Varlamov] is coming on the trip to keep working with [goaltending coach Jussi Parkkila] and we will see where it goes," Bednar said after the on-ice session. "If he comes through today's practice well, if he feels good tomorrow, that means he is one step closer because he is full action today for the first time in practice. I would like to get a few practices under his belt, full-team type stuff, and then we will see. We will make a decision on him for Thursday and again for Saturday."
Forwards Colin Wilson and J.T. Compher were also back at practice after missing games with illnesses. Wilson has been out of the lineup for the Avs' last four games and Compher missed the last game before the All-Star Break.
Having veteran players back on the ice will help the Avalanche as it continues to push for a playoff spot.
"Its huge for us. [Barrie and Wilson] are a big veteran presence in our locker room too," said rookie forward Tyson Jost. "They play the right way and they are going to add a lot of energy to our team, and a lot of experience too. It's definitely nice when you get to see those guys back on the ice.
"Obviously, you don't want anyone to get hurt or be unhealthy, so it's awesome that they are back there and feeling good and they are going to be a huge addition to our team. I know we are excited to have them back."

ANDRIGHETTO, BARBERIO STILL RECOVERING

After practice, Bednar said that forward Sven Andrighetto and defenseman Mark Barberio will stay in Denver to continue to recuperate from their injuries.
Andrighetto has been out of the lineup since he sustained a lower-body injury on Dec. 31 versus the New York Islanders and has registered 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 37 games this campaign.
Barberio missed Thursday against the St Louis Blues with a lower-body ailment, and the blueliner has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 44 outings this season.

MacKINNON RETURNS FROM TAMPA

Unlike the rest of his team, Nathan MacKinnon did not have a few days off over the weekend as he represented the Avalanche at the NHL All-Star Break in Tampa, Florida.
"You know, obviously it's nice to see some friends that you don't usually get to see," MacKinnon said. "And my family was there, and they always enjoy those experiences. Obviously I wasn't resting for two days, but I still feel pretty fresh."
The center had a goal and an assist for the Central Division in the 3-on-3 tournament and finished fourth in the Enterprise NHL Fastest Skater skills competition.