Colorado forward Paul Kariya will be out indefinitely after spraining his ankle Sunday in the regular-season finale against Nashville, the Avalanche said Monday.
Colorado will open the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday against Dallas.
Backup plan
Rangers star Jaromir Jagr told the New York Daily News he has a conditional contract in place that will enable him to play in Russia if the 2004-05 NHL season is delayed by a lockout.
Esche gets nod
Despite his late-season struggles, Robert Esche will be the Philadelphia Flyers’ starting goaltender when they face defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday.
About time
Nashville forward Scott Walker will make his first postseason appearance Wednesday against Detroit after playing in 574 regular-season games. Guy Charron holds the record of 734.
