Usually in the NHL playoffs, there is roster attrition, not addition.
Not so with the Avalanche, which added another quality forward to its lineup Wednesday in Steve Konowalchuk.
Receiving medical clearance to play about a month earlier than the original prognosis after suffering torn ligaments in his right wrist, Konowalchuk will play for the Avs in the Western Conference semifinals, which start Friday night in Anaheim, Calif.
“It’s going to probably feel like my first NHL game again, nerves-wise,” Konowalchuk said Wednesday after a full practice. “But usually when you’ve got a lot of adrenaline, it can make up for a couple other things from not playing so long. I’m just really happy to be back.”
Konowalchuk said his surgically repaired wrist feels 100 percent and that he isn’t risking re- injury by playing a month sooner than the six months originally forecast. The 33-year-old left wing skated on a line Wednesday with Wojtek Wolski at center and Jim Dowd on right wing.
Wolski was called up from his junior hockey team for the start of the first round of the playoffs and Dowd was acquired from Chicago on March 9. The late infusion figures to give the Avs a deeper, more dangerous lineup for the next round.
The sixth-seeded Ducks defeated Calgary 3-0 Wednesday night to advance to the second round, where they face the seventh-seeded Avs. Fifth-seeded San Jose will meet eighth-seeded Edmonton in the other conference semifinal, which starts Sunday.
The addition of Konowalchuk gives Colorado a forward who can create trouble in front of the net with tips and screens and is a valuable penalty killer and locker room presence.
“It’s great to have him back. They did a good job of keeping it a secret from us until (Wednesday),” winger Ian Laperriere said. “He worked so hard all year to try to make it back. He’d be out there skating for an hour or two after practice and we’d think he was crazy. But it shows his character. He’s a big addition to our lineup.”
Konowalchuk scored six goals and 15 points in 21 games before injuring his wrist in a Nov. 21 game against Calgary.
“He’s a guy who is a playoff-type player, who scores tough goals and does the little things,” Avs captain Joe Sakic said. “He’s great to have in the dressing room, too.”
Konowalchuk, who had surgery on his left wrist late in the 1997-98 season with Washington, never gave up hope of playing again this season.
“I had a lot of faith in the team, that we could get this far at least,” he said. “I think the wrist just kept getting better and better, and the last few days I’ve just been hoping to get the green light. The doctors were very adamant all along that we wouldn’t (rush) back too soon. But I feel good, ready to go.”
Coach heads home
Avs coach Joel Quenneville returned to his offseason home in Connecticut to attend an uncle’s funeral. He is expected back today.
Line changes
The addition of Konowalchuk to the lineup altered a couple other lines.
The first line of Sakic, Andrew Brunette and Milan Hejduk stayed the same, but Colorado’s other two lines were as follows: Alex Tanguay on a line with Laperriere and Brad Richardson, and Antti Laaksonen on a line with Brett McLean and Dan Hinote.
Second-round tickets
Tickets for the conference semifinals remain on sale via telephone and Internet. Households are limited to eight tickets per game and range from $34 to $200. Call 303-830-8497 or 719-520-9090 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
SERIES
Avalanche vs. Mighty Ducks
THE SERIES
Friday: at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Sunday: at Anaheim, 1 p.m. KUSA-9
Tuesday: at Colorado, 6 p.m.
Thursday: at Colorado, 8 p.m.
May 14*: at Anaheim, 1 p.m. KUSA-9
May 17*: at Colorado, TBA
May 19*: at Anaheim, TBA
* if necessary, all other TV TBA
TICKETS
Still available, log on to www.ticketmaster.com
