Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson skated Tuesday for the first time since suffering a knee injury Jan. 4 against the Los Angeles Kings. Johnson, who has missed the past three games, practiced before the team’s optional morning skate at the Pepsi Center.
“Progress is there,” Avs coach Patrick Roy said of Johnson, who is second on the team in average ice time (23:29). “We’ll know more the more he’s on the ice.”
Colorado hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning, defending Eastern Conference champions, on Tuesday night. Roy will use the same lineup from Sunday’s 6-3 loss at Chicago, with Semyon Varlamov starting in goal.
Footnote. Avs defenseman Brad Stuart, who has missed the last 28 games with a back injury, is further along in his recovery than Johnson. Stuart skated with the team and appears close to coming off injured reserve.
