Avalanche left wing Jamie McGinn missed practice for the second consecutive time Wednesday with a back injury and is questionable for Thursday’s game against the visiting Washington Capitals.

Avs coach Patrick Roy took the day off from speaking to reporters, but he had rookie Dennis Everberg replacing McGinn on the third line in practice, with center Nathan MacKinnon and right wing Daniel Briere.

Everberg was a healthy scratch in the last three games. McGinn has played in all 19 games after missing training camp and preseason with a back injury.

The Avs, who are 3-3-2 at home, play five of their next six games at the Pepsi Center. But they aren’t looking too far ahead in straightening out their 6-8-5 record and rejuvenating excitement at home.

“We can’t make the playoffs today or tomorrow or in five games from now. We can only control the preparation for tomorrow, and tomorrow’s game, and the only game that really matters,” forward Ryan O’Reilly said. “Eventually, we’ll get the excitement back in the building for the fans.”

Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikechambers