Reto Berra protects the net for Colorado, with defenseman Erik Johnson, left, in the Avalanche’s victory over Toronto. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Forward Jesse Winchester and defenseman Ryan Wilson have each threatened to return to the Avalanche lineup in recent practices. But ‘not yet’ will continue for a while longer.
Winchester and Wilson will not travel with the Avs on their four-game road trip to the East Coast, starting Saturday at Philadelphia against the Flyers, the team said.
The Avs, though, will stick with their backup, Reto Berra, in goal.
The Avs on Friday skated a short practice in Denver before flying to Philly.
Colorado coach Patrick Roy before in Denver on Thursday that Winchester (concussion) remains up and down in his recovery. Roy said he wants Winchester to string together at least a week of healthy days, without concussion symptoms, before returning.
For Wilson (shoulder), Roy said he’s nearing a return. But not yet.
So the Avalanche will likely play with the same, or very similar, lines and D combos against the Flyers. That includes a third line of Alex Tanguay, John Mitchell and Dennis Everberg — perhaps the Avs’ best line of late.
The Avs will also likely stick with a top line of Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Jarome Iginla; with Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn on a second line.
Berra, who finished with 33 saves and a win against the Maple Leafs, will stay in goal Saturday against the Flyers, Roy said.
“He was great. He’s been great for us every time he’s started this season,” Duchene said of Berra after the game.
