Avalanche cleared to play Blues Thursday night

The Colorado Avalanche are back. 

The Avalanche confirmed that players and coaches are preparing to take part in the Thursday night game at the St. Louis Blues. Colorado had three consecutive contests postponed due to COVID-19 issues, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer and wingers Joonas Donskoi and Mikko Rantanen remain in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol heading into Thursday's matchup. According to previous reports, Rantanen is on the coronavirus-related list due to contact tracing but hasn't yet tested positive. He is second in the NHL this season with 26 goals and tied for ninth with 52 points. 

Defenseman Bowen Byram is off the COVID-19 list but isn't on the road trip, meaning he's currently set to be out until at least the April 30 game versus the San Jose Sharks. Grubauer went on the list April 14 and is on track to be out a minimum of 14 total days. 

As noted by the NHL website, Colorado can clinch a Stanley Cup Playoffs berth with a regulation win at St. Louis. The Avalanche will begin that game second in the NHL West standings with 64 points, four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights and three ahead of the Minnesota Wild. Vegas has already clinched a postseason spot.