Morning Skate Report: Andrighetto Adds Speed to Avs Lineup

Sven Andrighetto will return to game action tonight when the Colorado Avalanche hosts the defending-Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals at Pepsi Center.
The forward has missed six outings with a lower-body injury with his last game coming on Oct. 27 against the Minnesota Wild. He also was hurt for the team's first six matchups of the campaign.

The Zurich, Switzerland, native has one goal in six games played so far this season and is averaging 13:41 of ice time, playing in all special-teams situations.
"He's looked good. I thought he looked good when he was hurt. He played two games when it was bothering him, and he looked like he skated real well in both those games," head coach Jared Bednar said of what he has seen from Andrighetto so far this season. "I think the last one was [Minnesota]. He took some time off to get healed, but he has looked great on the ice. He has been anxious and ready to go, so he is going to get a crack tonight."

The Avalanche has won each of its last two games, a 4-1 victory at the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins at home on Wednesday.
In each of those outings, Andrighetto has been able to observe from afar and see how a high pace of play can benefit the Avalanche. That is something he and his teammates will look to utilize again in tonight's game.
"I feel like we have been playing really well, especially the last two games, more to our identity. Using our speed and being hard on the puck, we want to keep doing that for sure," Andrighetto said. "Our speed, we were moving our legs even if we didn't have the puck. We were creating turnovers early on, right when they get the puck. We didn't even give them a chance to create anything, get the puck back as soon as we could and it's a big difference."

After the Avalanche's morning skate, Bednar noted that Andrighetto will play on a line with Gabriel Bourque and Vladislav Kamenev. Matt Nieto was part of that trio with Bourque and Kamenev in Colorado's last two outings but will miss the game with a lower-body injury.
"[Andrighetto] adds more speed, quickness and pace to our game. He is a guy we rely on for secondary scoring and helping create chances," Bednar said. "I think it will be good to watch him play with Kammy because I think Kammy has played a couple good games here recently. We will miss Nietsy, but at the same time it's nice to have another speedy guy back in the lineup."

View: Avalanche vs. Capitals Projected Lineup

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GRUBAUER SET TO BE IN NET

Philipp Grubauer will make his sixth start of the season tonight and first against his former team. He was selected by the Capitals in the fourth round of the 2010 draft and played in 101 NHL regular-season outings with Washington.
After seven years with the organization, the German netminder had a 43-31-11 overall record, 2.29 goals-against average, .923 save percentage, six shutouts and a championship after the Caps won the Stanley Cup last June.
Colorado acquired Grubauer during the NHL Draft on June 22 in exchange for the Avs' 2018 second-round pick. He signed a three-year contract with the Avalanche the next day.
"Once the puck drops, it's all about business," Grubauer said after practice on Thursday. "You can't focus on who is coming down… it doesn't matter. You have to stop the puck, and you got to focus on the situation and read the game."
He owns a 3-1-1 record this season and last played on Nov. 2 at the Vancouver Canucks.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER

Tonight's contest is Colorado's annual Hockey Fights Cancer game, presented by UCHealth.
Founded in 1998 by the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative unites the community in support of all of those who have been impacted by the disease.
"I think for me personally, I have been affected by cancer in my immediate family recently and it's a big night," said forward Matt Calvert. "Something I have been trying to play for all year, and it's going to be a fun night tonight."

The Avs are wearing Hockey Fights Cancer decals on their helmets throughout the month of November and will wear special lavender jerseys during warmup tonight that will be auctioned off online at avs.givesmart.com until 10 p.m. MT on Friday, Nov. 30.
The in-game elements of the contest will focus on recognizing survivors and those fighting with a ceremonial puck drop, "I Fight For" placard photo station on the concourse and a special bell that survivors in attendance can ring.