Avalanche rookie center Ryan O’Reilly could return to the lineup tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers, after missing one game with a bruised foot.
“He made it through the morning skate, and he’ll be a game-time decision,” Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said.
O’Reilly, the team’s third-line center, hadn’t missed a game previously. He was hurt after taking a shot to the foot in Saturday’s game with Edmonton. With the loss of enforcer David Koci for an indefinite period of time because of a broken hand and O’Reilly’s uncertain status, the Avs recalled forward Darren Haydar from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League.
Haydar, the Monsters” leading scorer with 43 points in 41 games, has 22 games of NHL experience – 20 with the Thrashers.
The Avalanche will again scratch defenseman John-Michael Liles, the team’s third highest-paid player. Ruslan Salei will also be a healthy scratch for the Avs, who have won two straight.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
