Watch injured Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros skate after practice Wednesday

DENVER — A mustachioed man wielding a hockey stick stuck mostly to himself Wednesday, firing puck after puck toward an empty net as he skated on one side of the ice inside Ball Arena after the Nashville Predators had wrapped up an afternoon practice.

All-Star goalie Juuse Saros dressed casual, ditching his goalie gear in favor a Predators baseball cap and warmup outfit. Saros hasn't played since suffering a lower-body injury more than a week ago, when he limped off the ice seemingly favoring his left leg.

General manager David Poile and his son, assistant GM Brian Poile were among those who caught a glimpse of Saros, who was ruled out for at least the first two games of his team's first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.

That series began with a 7-2 defeat Tuesday night during which starter David Rittich was pulled during the first period and replaced by Connor Ingram.

Saros has been attending team meetings and around the team, Predators coach John Hynes said Monday.

"He's doing his rehab, he's working, he's getting better," Hynes said. "He's preparing himself mentally to make sure that when and if he's ready, then he's going to be ready to go."

The Predators face the Avalanche in Game 2 at 8:30 p.m. (CT) Thursday before the series shifts to Nashville for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday.

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Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.