Matt Duchene’s earlier return boosts Colorado Avalanche’s playoff hopes-NHL News
In what seems to be a surprising development, Colorado Avalanche will have their centre, Matt Duchene, available for the game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, March 15, 2012.
The player was reported to take at least four weeks to recover from an ankle injury, but the team said he is available for Devils game.
However, the team has decided to give him another game off as a precautionary step to make sure he remains hundred per cent for the rest of the games.
Duchene suffered the injury on March 06, 2012 and reportedly needed a month of rest as minimum recovery time before rejoining the team.
However, the team’s coach, Joe Sacco, following Wednesday’s morning skate, informed that the player would be available for the next game.
The coach added that in spite of his availability, the management has decided to rest him for another game.
Sacco said:
"His ankle was feeling better, so he skated (Tuesday) for about 40 minutes on his own. The plan is to play him tomorrow night if all goes accordingly.
His sooner-than-expected return will certainly boost the team as it is on the course of making it to playoffs from the Western Conference.
Colorado Avalanche hold the last/8th spot among the playoff contenders from the conference and are in a must-win situation for the remaining games to keep their chances well intact through end of the regular season.
The race for the second round of the league has become more competitive lately and all teams are doing their best to beat each other.
Some of them are unlucky to have suffered a number of injury scares that have affected their playoff chances.
Avalanche, who were on the verge of losing a few players to the injury problems, have all of a sudden pulled up together with Duchene’s comeback.
According to the coach, the player was lucky to have escaped the possibility of a high-ankle sprain, as in case of that injury, he could not have been able to recover as quickly as he has done now.
The official remains optimistic about the team’s playoff chances, saying they were expected to remain on the course to the second round, and will even attempt to improve their standing on the league’s points table.
It might not be easy for them to retain the current standing or improve it, as the Western Conference is jam-packed with teams, who are on each other’s trail with a very little point margin.
Colorado Avalanche, who with 80 points are just one point behind the 7th position holder, Phoenix Coyotes, are chased by San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings, who with 78 points each are tied for 9th position.
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