- Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard won’t play tonight against Montreal due to a lower-body injury, notes Corey Masisak of The Denver Post (Bluesky link). The 26-year-old suffered the injury late in Wednesday’s game against Toronto and was out the following night in Ottawa. Already missing Josh Manson, Colorado’s recently strengthened defensive depth is certainly getting tested. Girard has 22 points and 94 blocked shots in 66 games this season while averaging just under 21 minutes a night.