On Wednesday morning, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar announced that defenseman Sam Girard will miss his third consecutive game in the playoffs due to an upper-body injury.
Girard was forced to sit out of Games 2 and 3, and Bednar was originally hopeful that the 19-year-old Girard would be able to play in Game 4. However, Girard still isn’t ready after suffering the Game 1 injury, and Duncan Siemens will most likely take his spot, as he has in the last two games.
“‘Dunc’ is a home-grown guy that’s paid his dues in the minors, been a great team guy, fills a specific role, good penalty-killer,” Bednar told the team’s website Tuesday. “Adds some toughness and some grit to the lineup and is a physical guy. You like to see guys like that succeed as well.
The Avalanche beat Nashville at home 5-2 on Monday night, breaking the Predators lead in the playoffs. The Avalanche is hoping to bring the same intensity that they have had in the last few games to the ice tonight, and they expect the physical Predators to be coming for blood following their recent loss. The Avalanche will have to bring their A-game to get another win at home and squad up the series before having to return to Nashville.
Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Avalanche and the Predators will begin at 8:00p tonight at the Pepsi Center.
