The Colorado Avalanche will have forward Valeri Nichushkin in the lineup for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final while Andre Burakovsky remains sidelined.
Nichushkin took part in the pre-game skate and was on his usual line with Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog.
Nichushkin was not able to fully participate in the morning skate, as he skated briefly in a T-shirt, shorts and skates rather than full gear to test out a lower-body injury. After Game 5, the 27-year-old was seen on a cart with his right leg wrapped with an ice bag. He was also hobbling around the rink before hopping on the ice to do some puck handling and take a few shots.
Nichushkin has four goals and six points in the series — including a goal and an assist in Game 5 — to give him nine goals and 16 points in 19 games, leaving him on the periphery of the Conn Smythe Trophy discussion. He’s also one of the most important penalty killers and responsible two-way players on the Avalanche roster.
Burakovsky has missed the past three games after getting hit in the hand by a shot from defenceman Victor Hedman in Game 2 last Saturday. The 27-year-old from Malmo, Sweden, has three goals and five assists in 12 games in the post-season including two goals and an assist during the first couple games of the Stanley Cup Final.
Colorado holds a 3-2 series lead and is looking to clinch its first Stanley Cup since 2001 while the double defending champion Tampa Bay aims to extend its dream of a three-peat when Game 6 goes down Sunday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW.
