J.T. Compher took part in a full, contact practice Tuesday and should be ready to rejoin the Avalanche lineup Thursday against San Jose at the Pepsi Center as they seek their eighth consecutive win.

Here's my NHL.COM GAME STORY on their 3-1 win against Anaheim on Monday.

Compher has missed the past six games with an upper-body injury he sustained Dec. 29 against Toronto. He remained in that game and scored in overtime in a 4-3 win in the first game of a streak that has become the team's longest since an eight-game run Dec. 31, 2005 to Jan. 17, 2006.

"There's been a lot of guys stepping up," said Compher, who earlier missed six games with a broken thumb. "You do love to see the boys playing well. You want to be out there, it's been a fun streak. Hopefully I can get back and try to add to it."

It's been a tough season for Compher, who has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 31 games. The overtime goal against the Maple Leafs was his third goal, and second game winner, in a five-game stretch after going eight games without a goal.

"It's not fun any time you're sitting out, but watching the boys win makes you a little more excited to get back even though I already was (eager)," he said. "If things go well here in the next few days I'll be back soon.

"It makes it a little easier when you're sitting out when the team's winning. When the team goes on a slide, you feel like you kind of have to pressure it to try and get back and help as much as possible. But the guys have been playing unbelievable all across the board."



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