Back-to-back afternoon games advantage for Avalanche vs Golden Knights

The Avalanche will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second half of a back-to-back, but there is one key advantage for Colorado — they are both early afternoon games. 

"I think the guys like the afternoon afternoon games. It's nice to just be able to come in. It's not too early but it's early enough that you're just focused on the game right away especially when you're coming off of good practice like this (on Friday) and you're just playing the game and I guess we're jumping on the flight," Bednar said. "We're getting there early so I don't know mind the early game the next day so, tougher on the coaches kind of turn one around to get ready for the next one, but yeah, it will get us home at a decent hour after that too."

The Avs need to bounce back after an embarrassing 7-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon. While the turnaround was short, Bednar said the coaching staff will dissect the loss after Sunday's game. 

Forward Casey Mittelstadt said this schedule for a back-to-back may be the first he's experienced in his career but welcomed the timing of it. 

"I think it's great. I love the day game out of the first of the back-to-back for sure. You have the night to regroup and get ready to do it again the next day," Mittelstadt said. 

Bednar confirmed Alexandar Georgiev would start in net against Vegas after the loss to the Jets. He was pulled in the first period of Saturday's game after allowing four goals. He was replaced by Justus Annunen who gave up another three goals in the second period. 

"I didn't love either one of them. You know, so we'll go back to our starter tomorrow. He's got to get back on track," Bednar said about his goaltenders. 

Defenseman Samuel Girard is in concussion protocol after a collision where he may have hit his head on the ice in Saturday's game, according to Bednar. 

Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Artturi Lehkonen
Valeri Nichushkin — Casey Mittelstadt — Mikko Rantanen
Zach Parise — Ross Colton — Brandon Duhaime
Yakov Trenin — Andrew Cogliano — Joel Kiviranta

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Caleb Jones — Josh Manson
Jack Johnson — Sean Walker

Alexandar Georgiev
Justus Annunen

The puck drops at 1:30 p.m. MT and will be the first-ever MultiVersus NHL Face-Off with top players being represented by avatars in the game. 

'It's going to be the biggest test we've had all season': Confidence is key for Avalanche vs Jets

Nathan MacKinnon hits 1st 50-plus goal season with hat trick vs Minnesota Wild