"Obviously, that's a tough injury, but he's also a tough guy," Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "It's good to see him here, still in good spirits and obviously in a lot of pain. It's a tough situation for him at this time of the year, but good see him in good spirits and just have him around the team, really."
Girard spent a few minutes talking to teammates and coaches during the early part of the skate before returning to the locker room.
"He's a little sore today but, I mean, good to see him up and about and in good spirits and here with the guys, for sure," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said.
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Following the hit by Barbashev, Girard needed to be helped off the ice by a trainer before being transported to a hospital, where he remained overnight for further evaluation. He was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon.
"Looking back on it, I mean, it's a heavy collision. He just catches him in a bad spot," Bednar said Saturday. "But I thought it was legal check, to be honest with you. He kind of goes in on his head side, but he got a lot of body there. [Girard] was turned the wrong way, and he went in awkward and it was a heavy check. Unfortunate, but to be honest, I think it was a legal check."
Girard had 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) in 67 regular-season games and was third on the Avalanche in average ice time per game (21:39). He also had three points (one goal, two assists) in seven playoff games and played a key part on Colorado's second power-play unit.
