Morning Skate Report: Avs Look for Strong Start

Playing with a hungry mentality early will be one of the keys for the Colorado Avalanche tonight as it takes on the New York Rangers at Pepsi Center.
The contest wraps up a four-game homestand for the Avs, who are 0-1-2 so far on the home stay, all in one-goal defeats. During those outings, Colorado has outscored the visitors 4-0 in the final frame.

"As simple as it sounds I think we just need to play in the first period like we do in the third period," said rookie defenseman Ryan Graves. "I think if we come out flying and skating and playing our style of hockey, we can beat anyone."
Six of Colorado's last seven outings have been decided by one goal. The Avs have had to fight their way back into those games because in all but one of those contests the opposition tallied first.

"I think the biggest thing for tonight is to get the first goal, I think we haven't had that in a long time," said Mikko Rantanen. "[In] Vegas we scored the first goal, and we actually played a pretty good game. It makes the game easier when you get the first goal, you don't have to chase right away, so that's our main goal. I think we are creating offensively, but we have to be sharper defensively and have more commitment there."
In Colorado's last outing against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, the Avs outshot the Sharks 11-7 and played well in the opening period but found themselves down 2-1 at the first intermission due to two San Jose power-play markers.
For the majority of the season Bednar has stressed the importance of staying disciplined and that will remain an important aspect of Colorado's game against the Rangers.
"Go back one game and I liked the way we play in the first period. We were good in the first period, had two penalty-kill goals against and the 5-on-3," said head coach Jared Bednar. "The discipline of it, the penalties, I don't think we need to take all those penalties No. 1. But there was a stick-to-itiveness to our game in the first period, and after they scored we bounced back and then we got in the penalty trouble.
"It was more of the second period that I didn't like last game, the mismanagement of the puck and not competitive enough in some of the battles defensively, and then we rebounded for the third. It is the start, it's the consistency of our game throughout. A full-team effort is what we need tonight, and we got to be consistent at what we do. It has got to start from the drop of the puck."

GRUBAUER TO START

After Colorado's morning skate, Bednar noted that goaltender Philipp Grubauer will be between the pipes for the Avs against New York.
"He is the guy we brought in here to do the job and help us get wins and Semyon Varlamov] is out injured," said Bednar. "I would like to give him the opportunity to win some hockey games and fight for our starting position. That is what he is here to do, and then you have our other veteran guys we have either up front or on the backend, give them opportunities to play better and win us some hockey games."
Grubauer will be backed up by Pavel Francouz, who has appeared in two NHL games this season with the Avalanche, making 33 saves on 35 shots.
Francouz was selected to the America Hockey League All-Star Classic on Thursday along with Avalanche prospect Andrew Agozzino. Francouz has gone 13-7-2 with a 2.65 goals-against average, .919 save-percentage and has posted one shutout with the Colorado Eagles this season. The Czech Olympian is tied for second in the AHL in wins and ranks fifth in save percentage.
[View: Avalanche vs. Rangers Projected Lineup

GRAVES FACING FORMER ORGANIZATION

Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves was selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2013 Draft and began his professional career with the Rangers' organization.
He played in 207 AHL contests with the Hartford Wolf Pack, New York's AHL affiliate, and recorded 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists).
"I am excited for the game, but I have also been excited for the last four games," he said. "I mean maybe if I was further into my career it might mean a little more, but I didn't actually play any [regular-season] games up with the Rangers. I know a couple guys over there so in that sense it is special, but I am more so just thinking about trying to be a steady player and do what I can for the Avs."

Colorado acquired the blueliner last season, and he made his NHL debut on Dec. 27 at the Vegas Golden Knights. Through four games, he has a plus-2 rating and is averaging 9:35 of ice time. Graves also has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 26 contests played with the Eagles, ranking second among team defensemen.
"The game is faster, guys are smarter, things move quicker, things close off quicker," Graves said of the transition to the NHL. "I think it has been an adjustment for me to make sure I am moving it quicker, make sure I know my outlets before I get the puck--just be really simple and be in good position. If you make a mistake, guys are going to capitalize on it, whereas in the AHL you might get a second chance. I think it is all about being confident and just playing my own game not trying to do too much."