TAMPA, Fla. — It certainly didn’t look good for Adam Foote when he needed help off the ice after blocking a shot in the second period Monday night. Another trip to the injured list for the Avalanche captain seemed forthcoming.
Fortunately, Foote escaped with just a “stinger” and returned to finish the Avalanche’s 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Foote, who was excellent in his 16:55 of ice time, took a slap shot by Tampa Bay star Vincent Lecavalier to the left leg and was helped off the ice by trainer Matt Sokolowski and backup goal- tender Peter Budaj.
Foote received extra treatment after the game, but he should be OK.
Looking for help.
John-Michael Liles entered Monday’s game with four points in his previous five games and was only a minus-1. But the Avs need more from Liles, especially with a couple of key forwards out.
Liles hadn’t had a goal in the previous nine games, and was a minus-5 overall.
“We expect a lot from John,” Avs coach Joe Sacco said. “He’s a guy that’s got the skill and can make plays. It goes back to needing your top players to be your top players on a consistent basis. John is certainly one of those players. He needs to want to be the best defenseman on the ice, game in and game out.”
Hejduk update.
Avs veteran Milan Hejduk did not play, nor did he skate Monday. But Sacco said Hejduk may practice today at the Bank Atlantic Center, and the Avs expect him to play before their five-game road trip is over.
Footnotes.
Winger T.J. Galiardi, who missed the previous game because of a back injury and was questionable for Monday’s game, had a strong effort with an assist and good penalty killing. . . . Center Matt Hendricks also played well for the Avalanche, hitting the post with a shot and breaking up several plays defensively.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
