Rapid Recap: Golden Knights 5, Avalanche 0

The Colorado Avalanche dropped its 2019 preseason opener, falling 5-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at Pepsi Center.
Brandon Pirri (two goal, one assist), Tomas Nosek (two assists) and Valentin Zykov (one goal, one assist) had multi-point outings for Vegas, while Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague also contributed goals for the Knights.
The Avalanche used both of its goaltenders in the game, with Adam Werner and Hunter Miska each playing half of the contest. Vegas outshot Colorado 28-23.

THE GOALS

1st Period
4:08 VGK (0-1) - Valentin Zkyov scored unassisted after driving to the net from the left side and the puck went off an Avalanche player.
2nd Period
2:49 VGK (0-2) - Brandon Pirri took a cross-ice pass from Tomas Nosek and scored from the right circle on a shot that went off the iron and trickled across the goal line.
3rd Period
1:23 VGK (0-3) - Nicolas Hague scored off a rebound following a shot by Tomas Nosek.
2:09 VGK (0-4) - Nicolas Roy scored five-hole from the low shot after taking a centering pass from Jake Leschyshyn.
16:04 VGK (0-5) - Brandon Pirri tallied his second goal of the game on a shot from the right circle that went far side.
Final: Golden Knights - 5 | Avalanche - 0
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Highlights

POWER PLAY

Colorado: 0 for 5
Vegas: 2 for 5

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Colorado: Adam Werner started and made 11 saves on 13 shots in 30:29 of work. He left midway in the second period in a pre-planned switch. Hunter Miska made 12-of-15 saves in the second half of the contest for Colorado
Vegas: Garret Sparks played the entire game and posted a 24-save shutout.

NOTES

• Goaltender Adam Werner appeared in his first career NHL preseason game. He is entering his first season in North America after playing the previous three seasons in Swedish pro leagues
  - Mark Barberio, Sheldon Dries and Tyson Jost wore alternate captain letters in the game
  - Colorado won 58 percent of the faceoffs (33-of-57), with T.J. Tynan winning a game-high 10 faceoffs (10-of-13, 77 percent).
  - Tyson Jost led the Avs with four shots on goal and seven shot attempts

IMAGE OF THE GAME

A couple happy fans after receiving pucks from Avalanche players during warmup.

ROSTER REPORT

Adam Werner started the game in goal for the Avalanche… Colorado had four junior players in its lineup--Alex Beaucage, Luka Burzan, Bowen Byram and Sasha Mutala--all of which were making their NHL preseason debuts… New Avalanche players Jayson Megna, Jacob MacDonald, T.J. Tynan played their first games in an Avalanche uniform.

INJURY REPORT

Nikita Zadorov did not play after suffering a minor lower-body injury at Monday's practice… Ian Cole (hips) and Erik Johnson (shoulder) continue skating and progressing well from their offseason surgeries, but both remain out… Kevin Connauton (cheek bone) has been practicing with a non-contact jersey and a full face shield on his helmet but isn't expect to miss any time during the regular season… Colin Wilson is continuing his recovery from offseason surgery… Ryan Graves left in the final five minutes of the game after taking a stick to the face.

UP NEXT

Colorado continues the preseason on Thursday at home against the Dallas Stars. The 7 p.m. MT game is the second of three exhibition contests that the Avs will host at Pepsi Center.