Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said winger Jack Skille — who violently crashed into the boards Saturday at Dallas — is expected to play Tuesday at San Jose.
Skille has played in all 50 games for Colorado but did not return to the ice in the Avs’ 3-1 win at American Airlines Center.
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“It was like a car accident. He hit the boards pretty hard,” Roy said Monday after an optional practice at team headquarters. “It was mostly his back — mostly the reason why he didn’t come back.
Skille did not practice Monday before the team departed for the airport. Only a dozen players skated, including backup goalie Reto Berra, who tested the ankle he injured playing soccer in a hallway before a game last month at the Pepsi Center.
Berra is not expected to come off injured reserve until after this weekend’s All-Star break. Calvin Pickard, who is goalie Semyon Varlamov’s current backup, will start against the Sharks as the Avs begin a consecutive-night road stretch that concludes Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Varlamov, who on Monday was named the NHL’s No. 1 star of week ending Sunday, will start against the Kings.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or @mikechambers
