DENVER – The signs are increasing that Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene might play in this series, but his coach will not yet sign off on putting him in the lineup.
Duchene, the team's leading scorer during the regular season, took part in his first team practice at Saturday's morning skate but Patrick Roy reiterated afterward he would not play in Game 5 against the Wild.
"It was his first day skating with the team," Roy said Saturday morning. "We'll see after how was it and I'll tell you more [Sunday]."
It was basically the same message Roy delivered Friday, but the fact that Duchene was skating with his teammates is a new development. Saturday marks four weeks to the day since Duchene sprained the MCL in his left knee in a collision with teammate Jamie McGinn. At the time the team said he would miss 4-6 weeks, and he appears to be progressing on the front end of the projected time frame.
That was good news for a team that struggled offensively against the Wild in Games 3 and 4.
"He's a top-flight scorer that brings a lot of offensive skills," captain Gabe Landeskog said. "The confidence it will bring our offense that's the main thing. The way he can hold onto the puck, protect the puck is something we need. We've missed him."
Per team policy regarding injured players, Duchene was not made available after the morning skate.
At the start of the series Roy said Duchene — who had 23 goals and a team-best 47 assists in the regular season — was likely to miss the first round, but he has since softened his stance on the center's availability.
