Jared Bednar said that Gabriel Landeskog has been in the dressing room to talk with the team during intermissions thus far in the series.
He said it helps to have him, being removed from the emotion of the game, speak to the guys because they trust him.
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis stopped on his way to do press to shake hands with Artturi Lehkonen, who is near the MTL room talking with former teammates. No. 62 was well liked on his former club.
Also, according to Matt Nieto, Nathan MacKinnon never stopped playing Fortnite. No. 29 hasn’t lost a step.
Nieto plays on PC but with a Scuff controller. Build mode. He doesn’t stream. Just plays to relax.
J.T. Compher is still retired.
Makar refuted Byram’s ‘claim’ to me today:
“That'd be taking money out of my pocket with all the taxes that would be hitting on the $1 million,” he said. “He might get like a nice little gift or something like that. Maybe like a box of chocolates or something.”
Cale Makar, Darren Helm, and Gabriel Landeskog are on the ice today rehabbing with Shawn Allard (on ice) and Scott Woodward (on bench). The Avalanche didn’t hold a morning skate.
@angryaussie
@Jibblescribbits
That��s weird. I once went to a museum in Oslo that was running an exhibit on naturally occurring homosexuality in animals… Proof 👇
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Cale Makar sat at his stall, in full gear, stunned, for at least 5 minutes. He was staring into the void of a series lost. Then he gathered his poise and held court and was as good as always.
“I don't think there's ever going to be a season again, knock on wood, that we go through that many injured guys again and that many injured games. It's so tough and everybody was grinding it out playing big minutes…”
- Cale Makar
Per Bednar, learned yesterday that Drouin would miss the series yesterday. Devon Toews had a baby boy yesterday and they were bringing him home from the hospital yesterday. Sam Girard is progressing, but Bednar doesn't have an answer for tomorrow.
The Vegas Golden Knights have launched their own direct-to-consumer streaming platform — KnightTime+.
The app will offer 69 regular season games at $69.99 for the season or $6.99 per game.
Today,
@Peter_Baugh
presented Mikko Rantanen with a media tolerance award that was voted on by local members of the media in recognition for his efforts with us this year.
Byram just got mad and threw his stick up over into the bench and hit head athletic trainer Matt Sokolowski in the head. Byram is just standing at the boards now without a stick.
Lars Eller said he packed extra bags before leaving with the Caps on their roadie, knowing he'd likely be moved.
He said his first order of business would be to get to the team store to get apparel for his kids.
"Get 'em in with the right colors and Avs jerseys."
Jared Bednar said there is a process where they can look at Toews' goal and, if there is video evidence to support Nathan MacKinnon getting an assist, the team can ask it be added. Bednar said they'd look at it.
Rantanen just became the fastest Avalanche player, since the franchise relocated, to reach 30 goals in a season (43 games). Joe Sakic did it in his 44 games in 1995-96.
MacKinnon to referee Kyle Rehman at the end of the second:
"Why won't you give me a call?"
"Why won't you give me a call?"
"Why won't you give me a call?"
Zach Parise told the media today that he thought he was done playing after last season, then he got the itch during training camp and got the green light to start working back toward a mid-season return. He credited his wife with really pushing him toward one last season.
All defensemen are present and accounted for. There is not one player in a non-contact sweater here at the first full practice of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Roll call at full practice:
• Cale Makar is in a black, full-contact sweater.
• Annunen is huge and in net.
• Nieto's mustache is still magnificent.
• Brad Hunt is not present.
Per NHL Stats: Cale Makar and Josh Manson each scored within the opening 52 seconds of the second frame. The goals marked the first time in NHL history two defensemen from the same team scored within the first minute of a period.
Logan O’Connor just became the third player in the previous 30 years to record a shorthanded goal in three consecutive games. The only others to do so through that span: Mike Richards (3 GP in 2008-09 w/ PHI) and Joe Sakic (3 GP in 1998-99 w/ COL).
MacKinnon extended his overall point streak to 19 games (13 goals, 25 assists), tying the longest streak in the NHL this season, which he also had from Nov. 20–Dec. 27.
Avs honoring Peter McNab during a stoppage here. Still feels weird being around the rink without having him here.
They're dedicating the broadcast booth to McNab, naming it the Peter McNab Broadcast Booth.
Cale Makar: “They're a team that's looking to become a dynasty, and we're a team that's looking to start a legacy. So it's an exciting series, and you can't ask for any better. Obviously, you want to beat the best to be the best."
Josh Manson said today he tore his QL (oblique) in Game 2 or 3 of the playoffs last season. He tried to play through it but had to shut it down by Game 5. He had offseason surgery, his first, and has spent his time building back to be ready for opening night.
The NHL is coming out with two documentaries this year, one of which will document the Avalanche and Charlie Lyons' seven day spring to raise $15 million to match the offer sheet Joe Sakic signed with the Rangers . This is a story that involves the film Air Force One.
Coming to ESPN+ and Prime Video Canada, two new NHL docs:
"Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle," about the infamous draft "bust."
"Saving Sakic," about how the Avalanche kept free-agent Joe Sakic from leaving for the Rangers.
Nathan MacKinnon is again working ahead of practice in non-contact red. So is Martin Kaut.
Darren Helm has progressed to gray, so we’ll see where he’s at during skate and afterward.
Valeri Nichushkin is on the ice! But not in gear or skates. He’s in shoes and AirPods.
Talked to Josh Manson for the first time since he re-signed with the Avalanche and asked about what was it—the environment, the fact they won—that factored into his decision to return.
Here's what he said:
MacKinnon’s 119 points move him passed Joe Sakic (118) for the second-most by a player in a season in Avalanche history. Sakic owns the record for the most points with 120 recorded in 1995-96.
Nathan MacKinnon has tied Bobby Orr for the second-longest season-opening point streak in NHL history at 25 games. Orr did it with the Bruins in 1974-75.
MacKinnon has 21 goals and 31 assists in all 25 home games this year.
Jared Bednar said that Devon Toews is feeling no ill effects from the hit by Jamie Benn last night. He also said Gabriel Landeskog isn't close to practicing with the team.
If you think that a player who spent 8 and a quarter (roughly) seasons playing as a keystone of a team that he grew up watching as a boy doesn’t deserve some recognition for his time in Denver because he asked out of a crowded and hostile situation, that’s ridiculous.