Bednar hopeful Rantanen will be ready for playoffs

Mikko Rantanen won't play in his club's regular-season finale, but his head coach is optimistic that the star forward will be back for the postseason.

Colorado Avalanche bench boss Jared Bednar told reporters Saturday he's "hopeful" Rantanen will feature for the team in the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Ryan Clark.

The 22-year-old winger will miss his eighth straight game when the Avalanche wrap up their regular-season schedule Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. He's been out since March 21 with what the club classified as an upper-body injury.

Rantanen had been enjoying an even better campaign than his 2017-18 breakout, as he racked up 31 goals and 87 points in 74 contests before suffering the injury. He produced 29 goals and 84 points in 81 games last season.

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