CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche’s star players Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews had a valid reason for skipping practice on Friday: they were celebrating their recent championship victory.
The trio played crucial roles in leading Canada to a nail-biting 3-2 overtime victory against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off title match on Thursday. Despite the thrill of winning, there’s little time for respite as they are set to rejoin the Avalanche for their game against Nashville on Saturday, with another trophy in their sights.
Head coach Jared Bednar is mindful that his elite players are likely to battle fatigue during their back-to-back games against Nashville and St. Louis. “They’ll be playing for sure. No choice,” Bednar stated, noting the challenging schedule following their tournament commitment. “I’m not a fan of how close the timing is between the Thursday final and the games on Saturday and Sunday, but that’s the reality we face.”
Bednar did express some concern regarding their energy levels but recognized their elite status. “They’re the best of the best,” he remarked. “So, I tend to worry about them a little less.”
While in Nashville, the coach intends to discuss the tournament experience with MacKinnon, Makar, and Toews. Notably, MacKinnon excelled in the tournament, earning MVP honors with a stellar performance that included four goals across four games. “We’ll pick their brains a little,” Bednar said, emphasizing the importance of learning from their experiences in the tournament. “It will be beneficial for us to understand what they encountered, what they enjoyed, what the challenges were, and more.”
Additionally, the Avalanche may see a boost in their offensive lineup soon, as forward Valeri Nichushkin, who has been dealing with a lower-body injury, has been increasing his participation in practice. Although Nichushkin, alongside defenseman Josh Manson, will not accompany the team on their two-game road trip, he is projected to return as soon as next Wednesday’s home game against New Jersey.
Nichushkin has been sidelined since December 31, and his impending return signals hope for the Avalanche. “It’s obviously a positive development,” Bednar commented on Nichushkin’s progress. “We’re working on getting him back into shape.”
The 29-year-old forward had missed the first 17 games of the season due to a suspension imposed last May, which required him to be in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He finally made his season debut on November 15 against Washington, posting 11 goals and six assists in 21 games before his recent injury.
Currently, the Avalanche hold a wild-card position in the Western Conference, posting a 5-4-1 record over their last ten games. They trail the Winnipeg Jets by 13 points in the Central Division, with 25 games remaining in the season.
Following their contribution to Canada’s 4 Nations championship, Avs trio will reunite with the squad in Nashville to continue their playoff momentum.
