DENVER – Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Kariya returned to practice Monday for the first time in nearly a month and could be ready for Game 6 against San Jose.

Kariya has missed all 10 of Colorado’s playoff games after spraining his right ankle in the season finale April 4. He started skating on his own last week and didn’t appear limited in his first practice.

Kariya’s status for Tuesday night’s game will be determined after Colorado’s morning skate.

Kariya signed with former teammate Teemu Selanne on the same day in the offseason in a move that was supposed to make Colorado one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Neither had the impact the Avalanche anticipated. Kariya played just 51 games because of a wrist injury and Selanne had one of his worst seasons.