CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche may have dodged a major bullet yesterday before the game against the Washington Capitals. Prior to the contest, forward Valeri Nichushkin was involved in a car accident en route to the game. He missed the game because of minor injuries, yet returned to the ice Tuesday morning.

During the optional practice on Tuesday, Nichushkin was moving well. He spent most of practice working with Zakhar Bardakov on shooting and footwork in the corners. According to multiple reports, Nichushkin should rejoin the team tomorrow against Anaheim.

On Monday, the Colorado Avalanche recalled Alex Barre-Boulet from the Colorado Eagles to replace Nichushkin. It was the first time that the Colorado Eagle had been called up despite leading the team with 37 points. Barre-Boulet was playing his third game in three nights, having played against the Henderson Silver Knights in Loveland. So, Barre-Boulet played only 3:46, but he assisted on Parker Kelly’s goal.

Other health updates

Forward Joel Kiviranta is very close to a return on the fourth line after his lower-body injury. He has been out for nine games since December 31st. He could probably return on Wednesday against the Ducks if not the next game. Devon Toews is also close to a return. He will not return on Wednesday, so the Avs will have to call a defenseman up to fill the void of Ilya Solovyov (probably Jack Ahcan).

The Avs plan on complete health no earlier than the Olympic break. Gabriel Landesdeskog’s schedule may move him toward the break’s start, or soon after. Logan O’Connor remains an unknown. Either way the Colorado Avalanche have been playing great without all of these players. They even rebounded for the win on Monday without Nichushkin in the lineup for the first time since November 13th.