Artturi Lehkonen

Jeremy Lauzon is not expected to play Wednesday, and that opens the door for more lineup shuffling than coaches usually want this late in the week. At the same time, Artturi Lehkonen is expected to play, which gives the night a little more clarity and a little less chaos. These are the injury and availability notes that can quietly swing usage, special teams, and matchup planning before puck drop.

Colorado is heading into Game 1 with one of those familiar playoff questions that can tilt a series before it starts. Artturi Lehkonen’s availability is now part of the pregame chess match, and teams never treat that kind of uncertainty lightly this time of year. Coaches hate giving away lineup edges, and opponents love making them sweat for every answer.

Artturi Lehkonen is unlikely to play Wednesday, which is the kind of update that always changes a coach’s board before puck drop. Colorado knows what it loses when a versatile forward comes out of the lineup, because those players usually do the dirty work that never makes the highlight reel. The Avalanche will have to patch the gaps again, and that is never where a contender wants to spend its energy.