The Avalanche will be without forward Andre Burakovsky and goaltender Pavel Francouz on Tuesday to open their four-game road trip in California. Both are day-to-day after sustaining injuries in practice.
Francouz, 30, has yet to play this season. But with four games in six nights against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, Francouz was likely scheduled to appear in a couple of games. Francouz is on the road trip with the Avs and coach Jared Bednar says his status could change after Tuesday’s game against the Kings.
Burakovsky started the season on the top line alongside all-stars Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. In an effort to spark his offense, Bednar pushed Burakovsky to the second line Friday to play with Nazem Kadri and Brandon Saad. The 25-year-old scored a power-play goal in each game.
Burakovsky, like Francouz, is on the trip and his status could change before Colorado’s back-to-back on Thursday and Friday.
“Frankie left practice on the day we were leaving on the plane,” Bednar said. “Burky’s injury happened in practice too but he has something that’s nagging him. I don’t know if it’s just for tonight or if it’s going to be longer than that. We’ll see as the trainers get me information every day.”
Bednar says the Avalanche will skate with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in Burakovsky’s absence, with goalie Hunter Miska serving the backup. Defenseman Erik Johnson, who missed the first week after being diagnosed with COVID-19, will make his season debut.
Philipp Grubauer will make his third consecutive start in goal.
Tuesday’s line combinations:
Gabe Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Brandon Saad – Nazem Kadri – Joonas Donskoi
Tyson Jost – J.T. Compher – Valeri Nichuskin
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – Matt Calvert
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Ryan Graves – Sam Girard
Conor Timmins – Ian Cole
Erik Johnson
Philipp Grubauer
Hunter Miska
