J.T. Compher will play Thursday when the Avalanche take on San Jose at the Pepsi Center, but Tyson Jost won't after sitting out practice for the second day in a row Wednesday because of a leg injury.

Jost was injured blocking a shot Monday against Anaheim and is "day to day," according to coach Jared Bednar.

"He's hurting a little bit still," Bednar said.

This marks the fourth time the 19-year-old rookie will miss time with an injury. He got hurt in the preseason; missed two games in early October with a leg injury and, after playing in two games, sat out eight more from Oct. 24 through Nov. 11 with a lower-body injury. He played five games in San Antonio on a conditioning assignment.

Jost, the Avalanche's first-round pick (No. 10) in 2016, has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 27 games. He was playing with more confidence lately, logging between 13 and 17 minutes while earning significant time on the power play.

Jost has been centering the fourth line with Gabriel Bourque and Colin Wilson, but Bednar said he hadn't yet decided where Compher will play, or if Dominic Toninato will dress. Compher missed six games with an upper-body injury.

Toninato was recalled from San Antonio, where in 30 games he had 12 points (seven goals, five assists). He had an assist in eight games with the Avalanche earlier this season.

Forward Sven Andrighetto (lower-body injury) and defenseman Tyson Barrie (fractured hand) have been skating on their own. Goalie Semyon Varlamov (groin) has done some light work on the ice and might start facing shots next week with the goal of playing after the Jan. 26-28 NHL All-Star break.

"More stand-up stuff," Bednar said of Varlamov. "He's trying to keep his conditioning, is working hard off the ice."

Despite the injuries, the Avalanche have run off seven wins in a row, their longest streak since winning eight in a row from Dec. 31, 2005 to Jan. 17, 2006. They've won six straight at home, their longest since an eight-game streak Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, 2011.

"It speaks a little bit to our depth, the way guys are willing to stick with it," Bednar said. "One guy goes out, another guys comes in. We have some moveable pieces with our roster, guys who can play wing and center.

"Other guys are stepping up. We're getting secondary scoring from different groups every night. The consistency of our group has been really good, and that's what's leading to the victories."



Follow @RickS7

Join the Discussion: » 9 Comments » Post New Comment

» One-year deal for Johansson

» One more postseason disappointment

» Bednar cleared to coach tonight; MacKinnon Hart finalist

» Cale Makar a Norris Trophy finalist

» Jost: Do or die Game 5 tonight; Kadri suspension upheld