Burakovsky unlikely for Avalanche in Game 5 of Final against Lightning

DENVER -- Andre Burakovsky was not on the ice for warmups for the Colorado Avalanche prior to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Ball Arena on Friday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, CBC, SN, TVAS).

The forward took part in the morning skate Friday, coming on and off the ice several times. He missed the past two games and is day to day after he left Colorado's 7-0 win in Game 2 on Saturday early in the second period after being hit in the hand by a shot from Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman.
"He's a possibility for tonight," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.
Colorado leads the best-of-7 series 3-1 and can win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001 with a victory Friday.
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Burakovsky scored in overtime in a 4-3 victory in Game 1, then had a goal and assist in Game 2 before being injured. He remained in Denver to skate and get treatment while the Avalanche were in Tampa, where they lost 6-2 to the Lightning in Game 3 and won 3-2 in overtime in Game 4. He has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games after he had an NHL career-high 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 80 regular-season games.
"I mean, he was playing really good before he went out," Avalanche forward J.T. Compher said. "He plays with a lot of speed and skill and is great at entering the zone and setting up scoring chances. Then he has a heck of a shot. If he's able to go, we'd love to have him. If not, it's what we've been dealing with all playoffs, just the next guy stepping up."

If Burakovsky returns, it'll be the second time in as many games the Avalanche got a key forward back in the lineup. Nazem Kadri returned to score the winning goal in overtime of Game 4 on Wednesday after having surgery for a hand injury he sustained in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers on June 4. Kadri led the Avalanche with an NHL career-high 87 points (28 goals, 29 assists) in 71 regular-season games and has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 14 playoff games.
Bednar said the plan Friday is to win the game, not focus on winning the Stanley Cup.
"We've been preaching that from Day 1, what do we have to do to be successful? Our guys are clear on what that is, now you have to go and execute it at an important time," he said. "It doesn't change anything for us. We'll break the game down in five-minute segments, we'll focus on those things and get in attack mode."
Avalanche players said they'll look to quell any nerves they may have and try to get off to a quick start against the Lightning.
"I mean, you try to treat it like another day but you're going to have thoughts of different things that haven't been there all year," Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram said. "But you've just got to stick to your routine, do what you've done every other day you've come to the rink. Just make sure that you prepare to play your best tonight."