Physicality as a style of play is said to go further in the NHL playoffs, and the Avs don’t have a surplus of big bodies who fit that mold.
So it comes as a massive relief to Jared Bednar and his team that defenseman Josh Manson will be ready to return from a lower-body injury in Game 1 of the first round.
Manson won’t play in the Avalanche’s final two games before the playoffs, meaning his regular season is over with 27 games played. The first time he plays since March 1 will be playoff action.