"Avalanche defenseman Shane O'Brien, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury, rejoined the team Sunday and skated Monday morning with the healthy scratches before Colorado played the Coyotes.

Apparently, the Avs didn't want to wait until today's practice for O'Brien to skate with some teammates. The Avs were scheduled to return to Denver immediately after Monday's game, practice today and host the Florida Panthers on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

"He's very close," Avs coach Joe Sacco said of O'Brien. "He'll practice with us (today) and he should be available Wednesday.""