As the Olympics wrap up, the NHL gears up for action, and the Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a unique situation. With key players fresh off the ice from the gold medal game, there's a quick pivot needed to get back into NHL mode.
Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews were pivotal for Team Canada, while Brock Nelson represented Team USA. Their challenge now? Shaking off the Olympic adrenaline and adjusting to the time zone difference before the Avs face off in Utah.
Head coach Jared Bednar is weighing his options. With just over 72 hours to regroup, he might need to rely on AHL call-ups for their first game back. Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Kiviranta, who played in the bronze medal game, are also in the mix.
While Bednar hasn't made any firm decisions on who might sit out, he’s clear about one thing: if any of the Olympic stars rest, it’ll be a one-game deal. The Avs have a demanding schedule ahead, with five games in seven days, and Bednar knows every point counts in the race for first place.
“We’re in a tough stretch,” Bednar acknowledges. “But if we’re fighting for first place, they need to play. Otherwise, we’re chasing instead of leading.”
With 27 games packed into 51 days, the Avalanche are bracing for a challenging run. The competition is fierce, with early matchups against teams like Minnesota and Dallas. Bednar’s plan is to get his players rested and ready, then dive back into the grind.
There’s positive news, though. Martin Necas and Gabe Landeskog are back in Denver, practicing and ready to rejoin the lineup after missing games before the Olympic break.
For the medal-winning six, there are no significant injuries reported. Although there were whispers about MacKinnon playing hurt, Bednar hasn’t confirmed anything serious.
“They played hard over the weekend, so they should be good to go,” Bednar reassures. “But we’ll manage any issues that come up.”
Nelson and Team USA are still riding high from their gold medal celebration, which might affect his availability for the upcoming game against the Mammoth. But as of now, everything is up in the air.
The Avalanche are navigating a tightrope of rest and readiness, aiming to keep their sights set on that coveted top spot.