The NHL talent-thin Avalanche on Saturday fell to 0-2 in the preseason with a 7-0 loss at Minnesota. At the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., the Wild used a veteran lineup. In fact, virtually everyone who played for the Wild will likely make the opening-night roster. The Avs went with mostly an American Hockey League group, with the exception of goalie Philipp Grubauer, forwards Colin Wilson, Tyson Jost and Alex Kerfoot and defenseman Sam Girard.
Three stars:
- Charlie Coyle. Wild forward had a preseason hat trick.
- Alex Stalock. Goalie made 12 saves through two periods and 16 for the game.
- Jason Zucker. Former DU star had Minnesota’s first goal.
Play of the night: Jared Spurgeon’s blind circle-to-circle pass to Matt Read gave the Wild a 2-0 lead early in the second period.
In net: Grubauer, the 26-year-old German acquired from Washington in a June trade, made his preseason debut for the Avs and allowed four goals through two periods and then two more early in the third. He played the entire game. The Wild’s fourth goal — the second of the game by Coyle — was a soft one, trickling in through the pads on the short side.
Rookie watch: Forward Martin Kaut, the 2018 first-round draft pick from the Czech Republic, made his preseason debut on a line with Jost and Kerfoot but didn’t impress — although that can be said for everyone in white, burgundy and blue.
Made their case for the roster: Journeyman forward Cody Bass, 31, exhibited some toughness the Avs could use on the third- or fourth lines at some point. Bass, who has played 75 career NHL games, is on a professional tryout contract.
More to prove: No Avs player had a great game. Grubauer certainly needs to prove he can be better, although he was hung out to dry for most of his goals-allowed.
Final thought: The Avs have been outscored 12-1 in the preseason. But don’t forget, they were 6-0 in a 2016-17 preseason before they finished with a franchise-low 22 wins and 48 points.
Next up: Monday at Las Vegas in the third of six preseason games.
