Avalanche Aims for More Finish in Rematch with Knights

The scoring chances were there, but the Colorado Avalanche wasn't able to find twine in its first game back after 11 days between contests.
Colorado had five games postponed and the team had to be in quarantine for a week beginning on Feb. 3 after the majority of the Minnesota Wild--the squad the Avs had played three times in four nights just before--and three Avalanche players entered the league's COVID-19 protocol.
The Avalanche only had three practices to prepare for it return to action and showed well in a 1-0 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights, playing solid defensively while holding a 30-24 advantage in shots on goal. It was the first time that Colorado had been shutout in more than a year (Jan. 6, 2020 at the New York Islanders) and ended the team's five-game point streak at the time (4-0-1).
"Maybe it was [because of] the break that we had from the games, the execution wasn't our best," said Mikko Rantanen. "I don't think we gave up too many chances, maybe a couple bad changes and that's how they got a couple of their chances and obviously their goal. I think it's going to come with execution tonight. It's going to be better with the second game, so I think we have a good chance."

The Avalanche and Golden Knights meet again this evening at T-Mobile Arena as the teams continue their four-game set.
"Obviously we know it's Vegas, it's the toughest team in this division and we have to play our best to get two points against them, so it's going to be a good test for us," Rantanen said. "You know the last game we were close, but we couldn't get the job done. I think tonight we have to find a way to get the two points if we want to win the division."
Vegas--which leads the West Division with a 10-2-1 record and 21 points--was held to single-digit shot totals in every period, including only six in the third, and Colorado killed off all three Golden Knights power plays in the outing as well.
The Avs have killed off 27 of their last 28 penalties and leads the NHL in the penalty kill at 90.5 percent (38-for-42) this season.
"Obviously [goaltender Philipp Grubauer] has been playing really well, so that obviously needs to be your best killer and he has been so far," said defenseman Ryan Graves of the team's PK success this year. "Our forwards play with good pace too, put pressure on teams to make their skill guys uncomfortable and take away their time and space. And for guys like myself, just kind of trying to be in shooting lanes and things like that."
Tonight's game is the last before the Avs and Knights play in the open air of the Sierra Nevadas at the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe game on Saturday afternoon. It will be Colorado's third outdoor contest in franchise history, including the second in as many years, and Vegas' first.
The series shifts to Denver for the final matchup of the series on Monday.

LINEUP NOTES

Defenseman Cale Makar is a game-time decision for the Avs after missing his first contest of the season on Sunday.
"He's still day-to-day; technically he's probably a game-time decision here for tonight," said coach Jared Bednar immediately after morning skate. "They're still out on the ice right now finishing up. I'll get word how he feels and then he'll let me know if he's good for tonight or not. He's close, I just don't know if it will be tonight or not."
If Makar can't go then Bednar said he'll use the exact same lineup as he did in the first outing against Vegas.
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer will make his third straight start for Colorado after stopping 23-of-24 shots on Sunday.
View: Avalanche Projected Lineup at Vegas

NOTEWORTHY

Head coach Jared Bednar revealed that Kiefer Sherwood has also been out of the lineup due to a COVID-related absence.
Sherwood, Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Jost will skate on Wednesday and could be available to play in Saturday's outdoor game at Lake Tahoe. Bednar said Samuel Girard will undergo cardio testing on Wednesday and the earliest he could start skating is probably on Sunday.
Colorado has scored the first goal of the game in nine of its 12 contests this season (75 percent), tied with Columbus for the highest percentage of scoring first in the league. The Avs are 6-2-1 when lighting the lamp first.
Andre Burakovsky needs two points for 200 in his career.
Vegas will be the first opponent to ever face the Avalanche/Nordiques four consecutive times in the regular season.

ONE TIMERS

Head coach Jared Bednar on the players on the league's COVID related-absence list:
"Jost, Landy and Sherwood are all on the ice tomorrow. Probably put a couple goalies out there with them. The rest of the team will take tomorrow off, a scheduled day off. Then Sam is doing his cardio testing tomorrow and then back in the facility and working out. His first day on the ice I believe is Sunday."
Forward Mikko Rantanen on his quarantine last week:
"Just worked out basically at home. It wasn't easy, obviously went for some walks but couldn't go anywhere, pretty much indoors (the whole time). It was tough obviously and go for runs and all of that stuff, but skating is always different. So it takes a couple days to get back in shape, but I'm glad we had those three practice days. It helped."
Defenseman Ryan Graves on his play last game:
"I thought last [game] was my strongest so far. Like I said previously, my season has had a few ups and downs so far and just kind of finding what my game is and what brings you success. I think the last game I was just simple and effective. Just keep my game simple, moving the puck up to the first option. I'm not trying to do too much with it. I think I did that pretty well last game, just letting the other players do their thing and kind of support them but not trying to do too much at the same time."