Smyth, Svatos are out indefinitely

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 2, 2008 at 5:50 p.m.

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David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Avalanche left winger Ryan Smyth is attended to by head trainer Matt Sokolowski, right, and an unidentified medical technician after Smyth was injured Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.

Avalanche forwards Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos will be sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering injuries in the second period of Saturday's game against Los Angeles.

Smyth was released from a local hospital Saturday night and allowed to go home after undergoing a CT scan on his head, the results of which were negative.

Smyth, who scored two goals in the Avalanche's 5-2 win, regained consciousness on the ice but left the ice on a stretcher after being hit against the glass partition near the team bench on a hard but clean play by Kings rookie defenseman Jack Johnson.

The encouraging news is Smyth was able to walk out of the arena on the way to the hospital for tests and observation.

Svatos, who leads the Avalanche with 26 goals, suffered a left knee injury when he fell awkwardly into the boards in the corner after a check by the Kings' Jon Klemm.

The players will undergo further tests the next few days with the Avalanche medical staff, after which a more precise diagnosis of their injuries will be known.

"It's going to be tough without these guys, but we've been dealing with injuries all year," captain Joe Sakic said. "You've got to fight through it. You've got to persevere."

The injuries will give opportunities for forwards Wojtek Wolski and Jaroslav Hlinka to return to the lineup. Wolski has been scratched two games in a row and three times in the past five games. Hlinka has been scratched six games in a row.

Forsberg may practice

Peter Forsberg skated again Sunday after the Avalanche's annual charity brunch and fashion show at the Marriott City Center and expects to take part in his first full team practice today.

Forsberg has been saying he needs some practice time before playing in his first game.

"Maybe I'm not that good, I don't know," he said. "We'll see when I get on the ice."

The Avalanche's charity event benefited Children's Hospital, Teammates for Kids and Kroenke Sports Charities. Since 1997, it has raised more than $500,000 for local children's charities.

Salei, Leopold pair up

The Ruslan Salei/Jordan Leopold defensive pairing had a very productive game Saturday.

Salei played 19:52, had one goal and one assist with four hits and a plus-3 rating. Leopold had a career-high three assists and was a plus-3 in 13:47 of ice time after playing only six minutes Wednesday against Vancouver.

"Right place, right time, I guess," said Leopold, adding his ice time was limited in the previous game because Salei and Adam Foote played major minutes.

"We won and that's all that matters. Whatever contributions you have to make, you have to make it. You have to go out there and create opportunities for your team. Whatever role you have to play, you have to be willing to accept it. As long as the team keeps winning, that's all that really matters."

With one goal and two assists in two games since his acquisition from Florida, Salei only has one fewer point than Karlis Skrastins - the player he was traded for - had in 43 games with the Avalanche.

"It's nice to get a couple points, but most importantly, it was a big win for us," Salei said. "It's a new page for me, a new team. You can say it's like a new beginning for me. It's like a different page.

"It's a different approach here. They're really trying to get to the playoffs. It's always exciting when you're playing for a really good organization with the great players we have in this locker room."

He said it

"If they get in the playoffs, they're going to be a very dangerous team."

Rob Blake, Kings defenseman, on the Avalanche's latest acquisitions.

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