Drury raring to lead second unit
Associated Press
| |  | | | Drury |
DENVER -- Colorado Avalanche center Chris Drury is eager for
the challenge of leading the second line with Dave Andreychuk and Adam Deadmarsh if Peter Forsberg remains sidelined during the
playoffs.
Last year's Calder Trophy winner is coming off a sophomore
season in which scored 20 goals and posted a career-high 47 assists
and 67 points. He played in all 82 games.
"They say the second time around is always better, and was for
me in the regular season," Drury said. "Hopefully, it'll carry
over into the playoffs."
Forsberg separated his shoulder in the penultimate
regular-season game. Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said Tuesday that
he is "still indefinite" for the playoffs, but added: "Things
are looking good."
Drury acknowledged it took him time to make the adjustment from
the regular season to the playoffs last year. He got off to a slow
start and his ice time was reduced, but he bounced back and ended
with six goals -- four of them game-winners -- and two assists in 19
playoff games.
"It's night and day, it's huge," Drury said of the difference
between the regular season and the playoffs. "Everyone's finishing
every check, and obviously the fans are into it more. You don't
want to have a great couple of games and then disappear for the
rest of a series." |
