Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) gains control of the puck against St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) skates the puck up ice against St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, left, on the bench during the game against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostSt. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist (70) tries a wrap around, but Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) blocks the attempt in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) controls the puck against St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostSt. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou (25), let, and Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) tangle going after the puck in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole (28) sends the puck down ice against St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20), right, handles the puck against St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (41) in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostThe Colorado Avalanche paid tribute to former Avalanche GM and team president Pierre Lacroix before the start of the game against the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021. Lacroix passed away in Dec. 13, 2020 from COVID-19 complications.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostThe Colorado Avalanche play the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) blocks a shot by St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021. St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) looks for a rebound, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) defends.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) shoots and scores a goal against the defense of St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella (6) in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Andre Burakovsky (95), center, celebrates his first period goal against the St. Louis Blues with teammates Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20, left, and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) in the first period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20) during warmup before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91), let, and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) gains control of the puck against St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) in the second period at Ball Arena Jan. 13, 2021.
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
The Colorado Avalanche face off against the St. Louis Blues for the season opening game at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
