Defenseman Anton Lindholm will return to the lineup Friday when the Avalanche take on Minnesota at the Pepsi Center in the third game of their four-game homestand.

The Avalanche were within one point of the second wild card playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race following their 5-2 come-from-behind win against Calgary on Wednesday.

Here's the GAME STORY.

Lindholm, who missed five games with an upper-body injury, was activated from injured reserve Thursday. To make room for him on the active roster, defenseman David Warsofsky was reassigned to San Antonio of the AHL.

That's unfortunate news for Warsofsky, who did what was asked of him in five games, but good news for Duncan Siemens, who has impressed coach Jared Bednar in his six games since being summoned from the Rampage.

A first-round pick (No. 11) in 2011, Siemens finally is getting an extended chance to show what he can do at the NHL level.

"I'm new to the organization last year," Bednar said. "We come in and I haven't seen the way he's played in the past, so he kind of gets a fresh set of eyes and again this year with a new set of staff members. We liked what he did for us at the end of last season, we liked what he did for us in training camp.

"This is his second call-up this year and we've liked what we've seen. Dunc's a real good team guy; he's playing his role to the best of his ability. Right now he looks great. It's a small sample size, but he's coming in at an important time when the intensity is cranked up, when every play matters. We're in this race and he understands that.

"The experience that he's gained over the last three, four, five years in the minors and being with us at times during the year last year and this year, that experience is helping him. A recipe for success in an organization is generally ... you want your guys over-seasoned in the minors. That was Detroit's model for years; they're more than ready when they're coming up from the minors.

"That means you have depth. Right now he's making the most of his opportunity and proving that he can play."

Siemens played 13:25 Wednesday against Calgary, had a fight with Tanner Glass after getting mashed into the boards, blocked a couple of shots, helped kill five Flames power plays and scored his first NHL goal, an empty netter with 16.1 seconds left.

Siemens also had a turnover that led to a goal and a 2-0 Calgary lead, but Bednar showed plenty of faith in him by putting him on the ice in the late stages when the Avalanche was protecting their two-goal lead.

Siemens' teammates were as excited as he was when collected his first goal with the Avalanche.

"It was definitely a heartwarming moment for me to see the support of the guys," said Siemens, who has played 10 NHL games and 274 in the minors. "It means a lot when the guys are that excited for me. To get the first one is definitely nice. I'll take it any way I can get it."

*****

Defenseman Erik Johnson, who remains on IR with an upper-body injury believed to be a shoulder, did some conditioning skating while wearing a non-contact jersey.

Forwards Vladislav Kamenev, who sustained a broken arm in his Avalanche debut Nov. 16 against Washington, and Sven Andrighetto (lower body injury) also skated.

Goalie Jonathan Bernier (concussion) did some work on the ice but isn't ready to be activated.



Follow @RickS7

Join the Discussion: » 4 Comments » Post New Comment

» One-year deal for Johansson

» One more postseason disappointment

» Bednar cleared to coach tonight; MacKinnon Hart finalist

» Cale Makar a Norris Trophy finalist

» Jost: Do or die Game 5 tonight; Kadri suspension upheld