How the Avalanche will decide who stays and who goes on defense figures to be a tough decision in the coming days.
With seven healthy defenders entering Wednesday’s game with San Jose, Jonas Holos was a healthy scratch for the second straight contest, despite having played well previously.
Soon, Kyle Quincey should return from a concussion, which would create another tough decision for coach Joe Sacco as to who gets less ice time.
Prior to being scratched Monday, Sacco said Holos’ heavy ice time in previous games “might have caught up with him” a little, though he was a plus-3 in four games.
Sacco said it’s possible the team could carry eight defensemen, as it did late last season.
Anderson closer.
Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson, nearing a return from a right knee injury he suffered three weeks ago, joked about some of the alarming reports that came out in the wake of his injury in Vancouver.
“Everyone made it out to be worse than it was,” Anderson said. “I knew right from the get-go what it was and knew it wouldn’t be too long. Obviously (Canadian TV network) TSN thought differently. Any time a guy blocks a shot and leaves the ice, you all say he’s got a broken foot.”
Anderson won’t play tonight, and does not have a specific date he’s targeting to return. But all indications are it won’t be too much longer.
“It’s up in the air right now. Obviously I want to be 100 percent before I step on the ice for a game,” he said. “A lot more can happen in a game situation than a controlled practice. But the last week has been great, being back out there and with the guys. I think once I get a few practices in, the timing should be right back to where it should be.”
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
