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Forward changes possible tonight

April 17, 2019, 4:47 PM ET [10 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
There could be some lineup changes on the forward lines for the Avalanche when they play Calgary on Wednesday in Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series at the Pepsi Center.

The Avalanche have a 2-1 lead, having won the past two games.

GAME NOTES

Some forwards are banged up and coach Jared Bednar said after the morning skate “we’ve got some game-time decisions” up front.

Forward Derick Brassard is definitely out; he’s ill and will be scratched for the second straight game. The Avalanche don’t have any extra forwards on the roster and would need to recall one from the Colorado Eagles or dress seven defensemen if another forward doesn’t dress.

Defenseman Samuel Girard will miss his second game in a row because of an upper-body injury he sustained in Game 2. He skated the past two days while wearing a non-contact jersey.

As well as the Avalanche played Monday in their 6-2 win, they may have to raise their level of play and intensity even more while facing a Flames team that can’t afford to fall into a 3-1 series deficit.

“I'm sure they're going to be desperate and they're going to come in and give us their best game,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “They're a good hockey team. We have to make sure we come out with the same intensity and same details … the same speed.

“Being here on home ice, it seems like we had that extra gear. We're going to need to find that again tonight.”

Nathan MacKinnon’s play has been exceptional, especially the past two games. He has three goals in the series with an assist and 17 shots on goal.

“He’s been fantastic in all three games, especially Game 2 and Game 3,” Bednar said. “He’s been focused and dialed in every shift, no shifts off. When he’s skating like that, he’s a lot to handle.”

Said MacKinnon: “We're taking every game as a new challenge. Nothing will be the same about Game 4, it's all going to be new. We have to look at it that way. We're going to have to have a new best effort tonight, whatever that is. I don't know if it will be (56) shots, but it will be the best we possibly can."

*****

Cale Makar, who scored on his first shot in his NHL debut in Game 3, could become the first defenseman and second player in NHL history to score a playoff goal in his first two games.

Rod Brind’Amour did it with St. Louis against the Minnesota North Stars on April 11, 1989 and against Chicago on April 20, 1989.

Makar has been able to take some deep breaths and relax a bit following several hectic days that included winning the Hobey Baker Award, playing for the University of Massachusetts at the Frozen Four in Buffalo and signing with the Avalanche before heading to Denver to play Monday.

“There’s nothing too stressful now,” he said after the morning skate to a handful of media rather than the horde he faced Monday. “I’m relatively comfortable. It’s just going to be a thing where every day you get more comfortable. It’s been awesome being with these guys, they’ve helped me out a lot.

“I didn’t really look back at it too much. I’m trying to stay in the moment as much as I can and process everything out now that everything’s done. I’m not a guy that tries to seek attention or anything like that.”

Makar was able to spend time with his parents, Gary and Laura Makar, after the game. He had dinner with them Tuesday night and they’ll attend the game Wednesday.

“Obviously it’s a very special moment for them,” he said. “I think they’re taking it in more than I have. They’re enjoying the time here for sure.”

Makar said the mile-high altitude did affect him Monday.

“I felt it a little bit, yeah,” he said. “Just coming from the East Coast, I didn’t realize it was going to be that prominent in my game, but I felt it definitely in the first period.”

Makar said the Avalanche gave him sweater No. 8, a digit he wore while with the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He wore No. 16 at UMass, which Avalanche teammate Nikita Zadorov has.

“All these multiples of 8 I usually wear,” he said. “Sixteen I’ve always liked my entire life. I’ve tried to be that whenever I can, but I wore 8 in Brooks for two or three years. I really like that number as well.”

Possible lineup, barring forward changes

Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Alexander Kerfoot
Colin Wilson -- Carl Soderberg -- Mikko Rantanen
Matt Nieto – J.T. Compher -- Matt Calvert
Sven Andrighetto – Tyson Jost -- Gabriel Bourque

Ian Cole -- Erik Johnson
Nikita Zadorov -- Tyson Barrie
Cale Makar -- Patrik Nemeth

Philipp Grubauer
Semyon Varlamov



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