Avalanche Weekly Update - Oct. 29
Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon are off to strong starts to the season
by Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche / ColoradoAvalanche.com
Avalanche Notes
MAKAR CLIMBS UP THE CHARTS: Cale Makar is tied for first in rookie scoring with 10 points (with Buffalo's Victor Ofofsson and Toronto's Ilya Mikheyev). His nine assists rank first among all first-year players and are tied for fifth among NHL blueliners with Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm and Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin. Makar's nine assists in October are the most by an Avalanche rookie defenseman (since 1995-96) in a single month, surpassing John-Michael Liles (eight assists in March 2004). Makar's 10 points are the third-most by an Avalanche rookie blueliner in a month, trailing Liles (11 points, March 2004) and Kevin Shattenkirk (11 points, November 2010).
MacKINNON STREAKING: Nathan MacKinnon has tallied at least a point in every game so far this season, the longest to begin a campaign in Avalanche history and the fifth-longest in franchise history. MacKinnon has notched 15 points (six goals, nine assists) through Colorado's first 11 games and is the only player in the league to register a point in every game this season.
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. Florida Panthers
Pepsi Center, 8 p.m. MT. TV: Altitude, Radio: 92.5 FM
The Avalanche wraps up its two-game season series against Florida on Wednesday. Colorado twice overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Panthers 5-4 in overtime on Oct. 18, with Nathan MacKinnon registering the game-winner. The Avs are 4-0-1 against Eastern Conference teams so far this season.
Friday, Nov. 1 vs. Dallas Stars
Pepsi Center, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 92.5 FM
Colorado closes out its three-game homestand against the Dallas Stars on Friday night. It's the first of four meetings between the Central Division opponents, who will clash again in Dallas four days later on Nov. 5. The Avs will wear their third jerseys as part of Division Rivalry Night at Pepsi Center.
Saturday, Nov. 2 at Arizona Coyotes
Gila River Arena, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude 2, Radio: 92.5 FM
The Avs open a two-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, the second game of a back-to-back set for Colorado. This is the second of three meetings between the clubs, as the Avalanche beat Arizona 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 12 at Pepsi Center. The last matchup of the season series will be March 31 in Denver.
Community Spotlight
Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz and forward Vladislav Kamenev participated in Colorado's TeamFit program at Sagebrush Elementary School last Wednesday, Oct. 23. The players, along with strength and conditioning coach Casey Bond, led a group of 60 kids through a fitness session with elements similar to team training exercises. The TeamFit program encourages and promotes fitness and nutrition basics through a series of interactive sessions for students. > VIEW: Photo Gallery
Quotable
"I've never really had that before, so I don't know how to compare it to anything, but it felt good. Thank God the video wasn't too long because I would have had a hard time focusing on the [penalty] kill right after that." - Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare on the tribute video that he recieved during his first game back in Vegas on Oct. 25