It’s unusual to conduct a morning skate at a rink that will not serve host to the evening game, but the Avalanche did just that Thursday for the second time this week. The Avs skated at their Centennial practice facility and are scheduled to take a bus to Colorado Springs in the afternoon, then play the Los Angeles Kings in an exhibition game at the World Arena at 7 p.m.
Colorado and L.A. also play Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the final tuneup for both teams.
The Avs open the season Oct. 9 at Minnesota.
Thursday’s preseason game against the Kings, the defending Stanley Cup champions, is on the World Arena’s Olympic-size rink, which is 15-feet wider than NHL venues. It would have been nice to test the ice and learn the nuances of Colorado College’s home rink, but conducting a morning skate there would have increased travel costs and prevented players from taking an afternoon nap at home. The Avs will fly to Las Vegas immediately after the game.
Sunday night, the Avs played the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center after skating in the morning at their practice rink. The Race for the Cure occupied access to the Pepsi Center on Thursday morning.
Lineup notes. The Avs will play Thursday without injured forwards John Mitchell (migraines), Jamie McGinn (back), Jarome Iginla (ankle) and Jesse Winchester (concussion). Winchester did not skate with the team Thursday morning. Iginla figures to play Saturday and Mitchell and McGinn appear to be close to game shape. . . . Forward prospects Andrew Agozzino, Dennis Everberg and Borna Rendulic will play Thursday and likely continue on to Las Vegas. . . . The Avs are carrying the eight defensemen they will begin the season with… Zach Redmond and Ryan Wilson are the odd men out Thursday. . . . Backup goalie Reto Berra will start Thursday; Semyon Varlamov on Saturday.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or
