Jared Bednar: Girard should be healthy for Game 1, but then what?

The Avalanche did not practice today, which I probably find a little odd, since they’ve been off so long already since knocking off the Flames. But they’ll be back at it Thursday at Family Sports Center, then jet off to San Jose for Game 1 of Round 2, Friday night at SAP Center.

Coach Jared Bednar did have a brief session with media today, though, and the big takeaway was: Defenseman Sam Girard should be cleared to play Game 1 against the Sharks.

But what does that mean to the lineup? Well, we’ll have to find out Thursday, maybe even Friday, for the answer.

“I’d say that there’s a good chance he’ll be healthy,” Bednar told the Avalanche website. “I just don’t know yet. That will be determined the next couple days.”

Let me do a little translation here: Bednar wouldn’t say “there’s a good chance he’ll be healthy” if he probably didn’t already know and believe that. I think what he’s more uncertain about is just who Girard would play with, and/or who will have to sit out if he does play.

Girard has been paired most of the year with Erik Johnson, but at practice lately, Cale Makar has been with EJ. Makar was paired with Patrik Nemeth when he began play with the Avs.

I don’t think there’s any chance Makar is scratched, after what he’s shown. Nemeth is the most likely candidate to be scratched, but he played well against Calgary, and I think the Avs are going to need as much size and toughness as they can get for this series against the big, rugged Sharks.

So, this going to be a tough call for Bednar. Either he goes with seven D and scratches a forward, or he has to ask Nemeth to sit. If Nemeth sits, we may see Girard start the series paired with Nikita Zadorov. Or, we may just see Girard go back with EJ like normal and see Makar paired with Z (lefty, righty combo, probably makes most sense).

Either way, it’s a tough decision, but that’s what coaches have to do sometimes. See you tomorrow.

What decision would you make?