Defensive game key for Avs in matchup against Sharks

The Avalanche are looking to continue a strong defensive game against the San Jose Sharks

Colorado beat St. Louis at the Enterprise Center in a not-so-pretty game, but one part of the team's play improved — which made the difference. 

"As the game went on I thought we really tightened it up on the defensive side of it and took care of the house pretty well too," head coach Jared Bednar said after the win over the Blues. "If they were going to get a scoring chance as the game went on it was more to the outside." 

The Avalanche needed the bounce back win after a disappointing overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Ryan Johansen earned two points in the win and the team is looking to keep that momentum going. Cale Makar felt the team's effort defensively was a "step in the right direction."

"Whether it was a one nothing, 2-1 game like it was, we just wanted to stick with it," Makar said. "I think a lot of the time we need to stress patience with us and we're not going to win at every shift, win the game every shift. For us, I just like the way we stuck with it." 

Nathan MacKinnon's overall point streak ended at 19 games but he has gotten on the scoresheet in all 18 home games this season. With a point tied in Sunday night's game, he could tie the second-longest home point streak in franchise history.

The San Jose Sharks are coming off a shutout loss to the Edmonton Oilers and are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. The Avalanche have won three of their last four and both previous matchups against the Sharks. 

Defenseman Sam Girard is expected to return to the lineup after a month in the NHL Player Assistance Program and will most likely pair up with Bowen Byram. Due to his return, Sam Malinski was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles. 

Alexandar Georgiev played an exceptional game against the Blues stopping 28 shots in the 2-1 win and will probably start between the pipes on Sunday night. 

The Avalanche did not hold a morning skate so there is nothing to base a projected lineup on — assuming Ross Colton will not play again. Based on last game and changes in lineup, here's The Hockey News' prediction.

Valeri Nichushkin — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Miles Wood — Ryan Johansen — Jonathan Drouin
Andrew Cogliano — Fredrik Olofsson — Logan O’Connor
Kurtis MacDermid — Ben Meyers — Joel Kiviranta 

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Sam Girard — Bowen Byram 
Jack Johnson — Josh Manson

Alexandar Georgiev
Ivan Prosvetov

The puck drops at Ball Arena at 6 p.m. for the third and final matchup against the Sharks this season.