Two games without star center Nathan MacKinnon, and a perfect four points for the Avalanche.
Cale Makar on Friday said no Avalanche player can replace MacKinnon, but Makar — the Norris Trophy candidate as the NHL’s best defenseman — again filled the giant void Saturday in a rematch with the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.
Makar, who had a hand in two of Colorado’s three goals in Friday’s win, was again the offensive difference-maker Saturday to complete the two-game sweep of the Kings. The 22-year-old scored and assisted on a goal, and combined with defensive partner Devon Toews (two goals), the Avs got all the offense they needed in another 3-2 victory to keep pace for the West Division title.
“Dynamic,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said of Makar’s play. “He was all over the ice. He skated unbelievably during both games, making plays, creating scoring chances. Every time he’s on the ice, something was happening. Just dynamic. And Toews was equally as impressive. A little bit more understated approach to the game, but just smart, intelligent hockey and he gets two goals. Cale had the other one to lead us to victory tonight, so great performance by those guys.”
Colorado also beat the Kings 3-2 on Friday without MacKinnon — his first game out with a minor lower-body injury. Bednar said he is unwilling to play any of his dinged-up regulars heading into the possible start of next week’s playoffs.
With Makar and Toews healthy, the coach can lean on his top two defensemen to create offense.
“That’s what we expect to do out there,” Toews said. “We contribute offensively while playing against top lines defensively, limiting time and space in our own zone.”
The Avs (36-13-4), who have three remaining games, stand second in the division — four points being the Vegas Golden Knights (39-13-2), who will host Colorado in Monday’s showdown at T-Mobile Arena. The Minnesota Wild (35-14-5) won again in overtime Saturday and remain a point behind Colorado.
The Avs, who have a game in hand over the Knights and Wild, will win the division if they finish 3-0. Bednar said he doesn’t know if MacKinnon will return to the lineup Monday against Vegas.
“We have three big games coming up — none bigger than the Vegas one. That’s our goal, to try to get that home-ice (advantage),” Bednar said. “That may be our goal with or without Nate, I don’t know yet. If he’s hurt and can’t go or we feel like there’s a risk of him getting worse then we won’t play him.”
The Avs won both games in Los Angeles after taking 3-1 leads into the third period and hanging on down the stretch. This time, it was Jonas Johansson (16 saves) in net, replacing Philipp Grubauer, who made 15 saves Friday. The Avs outshot the Kings 67-35 in the two-game set.
The Avs and Kings conclude the regular season with another back-to-back set Wednesday and Thursday — this time in Denver at Ball Arena. Colorado leads the eight-game series 5-1.
Footnotes. Colorado concluded its ninth back-to-back stretch of the season, improving to a combined 14-1-3. It is 8-1-0 to begin the series and 5-0-3 in the finale. … Avs forward Carl Soderberg had tightness in his back and was scratched in favor of Jayson Megna, who played limited minutes on the fourth line. … Defenseman Patrik Nemeth was back in the lineup after missing most of Friday’s game with a neck injury after he crashed head-first into the corner boards. … Avs left wing Gabe Landeskog remains one-goal shy of 20, which would be the eighth time he hit that milestone. Only Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk have more 20-goal seasons in club history. Sakic and Hejduk both had 11.
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Avalanche, sans Nathan MacKinnon again, sweeps L.A. Kings behind Cale Makar - The Denver Post
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