ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ryan Smyth seemed in perfect health after practice Tuesday, but an apparently bad night at the Avalanche’s hotel caused him to miss his first game of the season Wednesday night.
Smyth sat out the game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks with what was listed as a stiff neck. An Avalanche official said Smyth woke up with the bad neck, and it hadn’t improved enough to suit up against Anaheim. His status is listed as day to day.
Sakic update.
The Avalanche hopes to see captain Joe Sakic back on the practice ice today at the Family Sports Center. A determination will be made this morning, but Sakic’s groin injury continues to heal at a decent rate and he may be able to practice, the team said.
Sakic, however, will not play Friday against the New York Rangers.
Footnotes.
Rookie T.J. Hensick was back in the lineup, filling in for Smyth. Scott Parker played his first game since Dec. 1. Former Avs enforcer George Parros, now with Anaheim, on how he tries to get a fight going, as he told Ducks Digest: “The best way to do it is just go around and hit a lot. Someone’s going to want to stop you from doing that. That always drums up business.” Center Brad Richardson continues to be out day to day with a shoulder injury. Defenseman Jordan Leopold (thigh laceration) is recovering well, the team said, but is unlikely to play Friday against the Rangers. Rookie Cody McLeod, assigned No. 55 by the Avalanche, played his first NHL game.
