The Colorado Avalanche grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the St. Louis Blues with a 5-2 win on Saturday night but in doing so they lost a valuable piece of the team's defensive corps.
A violent hit behind the 'Avs net from Blues forward Ivan Barbashev sent Girard flying into the boards - his head slammed into the glass and he went down in a heap.
The Barbashev hit ⤵ï¸#StanleyCup | #stlblues | #GoAvsGo https://t.co/geuZihwq7z pic.twitter.com/UDvHbvYUhX
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 22, 2022
Girard was taken to the hospital. Following the game, head coach Jared Bednar said Girard had broken his sternum and would miss the rest of the playoffs. A lethal blow for most teams but this Colorado team may have the depth needed to keep on trucking.
Especially with Blues goalie Jordon Binnington out for an extended time with a right leg injury.
Colorado's defense leads all playoff teams in scoring from the back end with 25 points. This after leading the NHL in regular-season scoring by the defense. Girard had a goal and two assists in seven playoff games.
Cale Makar leads the team with 11 points.
Artturi Lehkonen scored a pair of goals, Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist, and Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves for the win. Colorado regained control of home-ice advantage after dropping game two 4-1 in their own barn.
Game four is Monday in St. Louis.
Thanks for reading, Steve