Top-line forward Jonathan Drouin’s absence is expected to move Ross Colton to the second-line wing position with Casey Mittelstadt and Cal Ritchie. Per practice on Friday, Nikolai Kovalenko will likely move up to play with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
“Obviously, every guy that’s missing makes a job more difficult, but it forces our team to dig in on the details and the commitment side of the game right away. We said it going in, we have to expect that everyone that’s in our lineup has to be on top of their game, not just be in a role, but thrive in that role, in order to have success. So it’s a little bit of pressure right out of the gate,” head coach Jared Bednar said after Friday’s practice. “I also think that it can kind of ramp up that commitment and playing with pride and being able to carve out wins can help you get set up right out of the gates, and it’s a long season.”
Nothing new for Colton
Colton has played at center and wing in his NHL career so this is not a new move for him. He is ready to play wherever Bednar puts him and is excited to get in front of the home crowd at Ball Arena.
“I don’t really look too much into it. I’ve played wing before, I’ve played center, so just in both there’s some similarities, some differences. So more or less, just playing my game, wherever coach wants me to be it’s kind of the role I’ll fill.
“Just try and feed off the fans. The first five, 10 minutes take it to them and use the energy to our advantage,” Colton said after morning skate on Saturday.
Bednar said his team analyzed video from the 8-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights to clean up the mistakes made and prepare for Saturday night’s game. While losing a top forward sets the team back, he is confident Colton will excel in his role.
“It’s easy to go from center to wing, especially for him. He did it in exhibition, and played a lot of wing in Tampa (Tampa Bay Lightning), so I feel comfortable with him at either position right now,” Bednar said.
Lineup changes are not new to the Avs and will continue as players return from injury and Valeri Nichushkin from suspension.