Ducks expect Max Comtois to play vs. Avs, and maybe Cam Fowler, too

Left wing Max Comtois skated with his teammates Saturday afternoon in Denver and the Ducks expect him to exit the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and rejoin their lineup for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, the second game on their two-game trip.

Defenseman Cam Fowler also practiced Saturday and could play Sunday, after sitting out the Ducks’ 3-1 loss Friday to the Vegas Golden Knights because of an unspecified upper-body injury. Coach Dallas Eakins said he was encouraged by Fowler’s mere presence on the ice.

Left wing Adam Henrique skated on his own, but it was unlikely he could return to the lineup Sunday after sitting out for nine games because of a lower-body injury he suffered during the Ducks’ shootout loss Dec. 3 to the Calgary Flames. Eakins also was encouraged to see Henrique skating.

Additionally, Eakins reported no new positive tests for COVID-19, so it could be only a matter of time before the Ducks return to some semblance of full strength after Comtois, Sam Steel and Trevor Zegras entered the league’s protocol and Henrique, Max Jones and Josh Mahura went on injured reserve.

Steel exited the protocol Friday, but he was of little help to the Ducks in their listless loss to Vegas, their third consecutive game without a victory (0-1-2). Comtois’ exit, combined with Steel’s return, could bolster the Ducks’ sagging offense. They have two goals in their past two games.

Fowler’s presence as a stabilizing force in the defense corps was greatly missed Friday. The Golden Knights pressured the Ducks into submission, preventing them from getting into their smooth-skating, attacking style of play. The Ducks spent too much time receiving the game instead of dictating the terms.

The Ducks seemed to get by without Henrique skating on their top line for six games, going 4-1-1, but in their past two or three, it was clear that there was a significant void, and center Ryan Getzlaf and right wing Troy Terry were not nearly as effective without him by their sides.

“We miss ‘Rico’ dearly,” Eakins said, using Henrique’s nickname. “He does a lot of different things for our group, and while he’s been out, we haven’t been quite the same. He’s a very key ingredient to our mix. His injury is a difficult one, to say the least. He is with us. He skated on his own.

“But the healing process on this one is a delicate one and it’s a difficult one. It’s gradually getting better. I think the frustrating thing for ‘Rico’ is where his injury is. It’s just going to take some time. At least he’s on the ice. Last week, he wasn’t. So, we’re getting there. It’s just a matter of time now.”

Henrique had six goals and 10 assists in 24 games before he was hurt during a first-period collision with Calgary defenseman Erik Gudbranson, a former Ducks teammate. Henrique shifted from center to left wing this season to open ice time for Zegras and Isac Lundestrom, two young centers.

“Adam, his scoring ability aside, the things he brings to our team are huge, and we do miss him,” Terry said. “First of all, in the locker room, he’s a veteran presence who brings a sense of calmness. Everyone knows ‘Getzy’s’ ability to make plays and slow the game down and then when you add ‘Rico’ to that and he’s someone, like me, who really gets into the corners, recovering pucks, and forechecking hard and making reads and playing smart. He’s not turning the puck over.

“He’s a guy we definitely miss.”