As the Avalanche get ready to face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets, they will do so without the services of one player and the possible return of another.
Yesterday news came out that the Avs have lost third line right wing Steve Downie for the season with an ACL tear. Downie will have surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Brad Malone has been called up from the Lake Erie Monsters to fill the roster spot while Chuck Kobasew will take Downie's place on the line.
The Avs will also be keeping an ear to the ground for news of the return of one of their key Factors. Adrian Dater posted this morning, at 3:30 no less, that O'Reilly and Metallurg Magnitogork have mutually agreed to terminate his KHL contract and the O'Reilly is flying back to the states.
O'Reilly, who is still unsigned, and his agent, Mark Guy, will be working hard to get O'Reilly signed so that he may join the team and take his place on the third line.
Meanwhile, it is business as usual for the team today as they are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets, hoping to carry through a dominating third period effort that got them a 3-1 lead against the Stanley Cup champions.
Taking on the Blue Jackets will be a good test for the Avs. Last year, as the Avs were pushing for the playoffs, they fell to the league-worst Blue Jackets 2-0, putting a dent in their playoff hopes.
The young Avs have had trouble using their speed, intensity and physicality in games against "weaker" opponents. It will be a good test to see if they have matured to the point where they can play the same against the great and the not-so-great opponents.
Matt Duchene in particular will be interesting to see if he carries his strong play throughout multiple games. In the past, he has had great games only to be invisible the next game. Especially with O'Reilly out, the Avs need Duchene and Paul Stastny to be at their best.
Being able to get play the same game they played in Los Angeles will be a good barometer of how this team is maturing.