Avalanche prepare for the playoffs, Landeskog not likely to play in Game 1

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche are getting ready for war.

First Round

The Avalanche will take on the Dallas Stars to open the First Round of the playoffs. We recently learned that both teams will square off against each other on Saturday night.

Landeskog Could Be Scratched For Game One

Gabriel Landeskog is officially back on the Colorado Avalanche after a two-game conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles that saw him pick up a goal and an assist over two games. He returned to the ice with Colorado at Tuesday’s optional skate and donned a green practice jersey on Wednesday, which would indicate that he’s currently a scratch. However, with three days until Game 1, things could change, but the team surely doesn’t want to throw Landeskog to the wolves just yet. A return for Game 3 seems more sustainable at this juncture.

Although the Swede admitted he’s a work in progress, he looked solid on the ice today and never let up.

General Manager Chris MacFarland said after practice Wednesday that they aren’t rushing Landeskog back to the ice and that they are monitoring his progress day-by-day.

Lindgren Questionable For Game 1

Every Avalanche player was present for practice. However, Ryan Lindgren, who is currently dealing with an upper-body injury, left practice after just 15 minutes of action. As a result, his status for Saturday remains uncertain.

Goaltender Situation

Mackenzie Blackwood was the first to hit the ice, but Scott Wedgewood was the first netminder to take drills at Wednesday’s full practice. In the opening drill, Wedgewood stopped every shot that came his way, while Blackwood gave up back-to-back goals to Parker Kelly and Keaton Middleton.

It’s no secret that Blackwood struggled to close out the regular season, and it seems he’s still trying to get back into form. As we saw how Jared Bednar handled the Alexandar Georgiev-Justus Annunen situation, we should expect him to stick by his starting goaltender. There’s not much you can do right now, as there’s the risk of destroying Blackwood’s confidence were they to replace him for Game 1. However, given how Wedgewood has performed this season and his previous experience playing in Dallas, it’s at least a possibility that Wedgewood might receive some ice time.

Lines at Practice

Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Nečas

Drouin – Nelson – Nichushkin

Kiviranta – Coyle – Colton

Kelly – Drury – O’Connor

Landeskog – Wood – Vesey (scratches)

Defensemen Present

Middleton, Lindgren, Girard, Malinski, Toews, Johnson, Makar, Manson

Goaltenders

Blackwood

Wedgewood