Colorado Avalanche defenceman Samuel Girard will miss two weeks with a lower-body injury. Also, Avalanche defenceman Ryan Graves will be day-to-day.
Sam Girard will be out two weeks with LBI. Graves day to day
— Adrian Dater (@adater) May 2, 2021
Samuel Girard and Ryan Graves Out With Injuries
The Avalanche have been injury-riddled all season and added Samuel Girard and Ryan Graves to the mix definitely won’t help them. Their left side has been decimated, as rookie defenceman Bowen Byram is out with an injury as well. Luckily, however, the Avalanche were able to clinch a playoff berth. They currently sit in second place in the West Division behind the Vegas Golden Knights. However, Colorado will still feel Girard’s injury, as the playoffs are set to start on May 11th.
Girard’s Great Season
While the remainder of Colorado’s games are not of the utmost importance, it still hurts to see a player like Girard go down, especially after the season he has been having. The 22-year-old left-shot defenceman had some impressive offensive output. In 46 games played, Girard scored five goals and 26 assists for a total of 31 points. This gives him a points-per-game average of 0.67. Over this year’s 56-game NHL season, Girard is on pace to score about 38 points. Over a normal, 82-game NHL season, Girard would be on pace to score about 55 points.
Girard has been improving his production with every season. In the 2019-20 season, he had 34 points in 70 games, which he has early achieved in just 46 games this year.
What Having Them Out Means for the Avalanche
With Girard and Graves out for the last few games of the Avalanche season, it will give the team an opportunity to look at some of their depth on the back end. Additionally, it will allow once highly regarded prospect, Conor Timmins, a chance to see a rather large role with the team. It will be an early chance for the 22-year-old defenceman to prove himself.
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