SUNRISE, Fla. — Avalanche defenseman Ruslan Salei slammed hard into the end boards 5:26 into Sunday's game and did not return after the first intermission.

Salei appeared to lose an edge and the left side of his body crashed into the boards as he was chasing down a loose puck in his own zone. Florida forward Richard Zednik was called for tripping, though it was hard to tell if it caused Salei to fall.

Salei returned a few minutes later but was listed as playing only one shift after the first period.

After the game, coach Tony Granato said he did not know the extent of Salei's injury or whether he will be available Tuesday against Phoenix.

BAH, HUMBUG

So much for the spirit of the season.

A potential story line was quashed Sunday when Florida forward Anthony Stewart was a healthy scratch. Stewart, the older brother of Colorado rookie forward Chris Stewart, had played in 24 straight games.

"It was definitely something we were looking forward to," Chris Stewart said. "We played against each other in the minors a couple times last year. It would have been good to play against him up here."