Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Nieto was held out for the past few games as part of the accountability he's striving for with his players.
"We said we're going to hold our guys to a high standard, and there are tough decisions to make and we have a coaching staff and management staff that support some of those decisions. And what happens is he comes out in Game 1 and wasn't great again and takes three penalties, so he's out," said Bednar, who also mentioned he was didn't see enough from Nieto during training camp and the preseason. "Now, I don't hold that against Matt Nieto. He misses the next few games because I liked what I've seen from other guys. That's the risk our guys are going to have to understand. If you're not on top of your game, then things get moved around. You can't just go back in the same spot. Everything has to be earned.
"I expect Matt to come in and be fired up and ready to go and hold onto that spot or earn a spot in the lineup."
Nieto understands the expectations that Bednar has and also realizes it is tough to make changes when the team was playing well. The Avs have won two straight contests after they beat the Boston Bruins twice by a combined 10-3 margin.
"That comes with the territory and you have to know how to handle yourself through thick and thin," Nieto said of watching the last three games from beyond the boards. "It is just about staying ready for that next opportunity. I have that in front of me tonight, and I'm going to take advantage of it."