Kovalenko Stands Out in Avs’ 6-1 Loss to Golden Knights

DENVER Four games down, two to go.

Thankfully.

The Avalanche suffered yet another preseason loss on Tuesday, falling 6-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights after a dull third-period performance.

It truly feels like this years exhibition games have been somewhat of a drag to get through.

I wrote about the number of roster spots up for grabs earlier this morning, and its clear that the focus has been on allowing that group to get an opportunity.

Some of them have fared well, like Sam Malinski , who head coach Jared Bednar complimented as the best of the depth defensemen thus far.

But the results havent led to wins.

Which, doesnt really matter this time of year.

The Avs had a tough preseason showing last season and followed it up with a 6-0-0 start to the regular season.

But Bednar admitted that a lot needs to be cleaned up before they open the season in Vegas next Wednesday.

If Sundays loss was the game that highlighted Malinski as a standout, this one was about Nikolai Kovalenko proving he belongs.

The 24-year-old has separated himself from the pack as a clear candidate to play in the top six to start the season.

And if he can perform this way all year, Bednar might struggle to keep him out of the top nine even if all of his forwards were healthy.

Yes, for sure, Bednar said, when asked if Kovalenko was a bright spot.

I thought he was noticeable again, like he worked hard, he made plays, made plays under pressure.

He made plays coming out of the D zone, neutral zone, offensive zone.

It wasnt perfect, but power play, he was good again.

Kovalenko played on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

He put in an Artturi Lehkonen-lite type of performance, playing the role of the puck hound who dug pucks out of the corner after every dump-in.

His ability to go to the dangerous areas is one of the best attributes we saw from him in the KHL and its why the Avs are excited to have him.

He was also parked in front of the oppositions goal on the power play, playing a role often held by Valeri Nichushkin, and before him Gabriel Landeskog.

He had bunch of really nice chances.

He played with two really good players, and they had a decent night with the puck at times, Bednar said.

But he certainly showed that he can at least go into that spot and help create some chances on his own and with his line mates.

Kovalenko isnt a traditional rookie because of his experience in the KHL.

So its not quite a surprise that he seems to be comfortable playing the role that suits him best.

But if Tuesday proved anything, its that his role his game suits the Avalanche as much as it did his previous teams.

It also gave Bednar a look of what it would be like if he decided to spread the wealth among his top-four healthy forwards.

Kovalenko lining up with MacKinnon and Rantanen could give Casey Mittelstadt a chance to play with Jonathan Drouin.

Bednar wouldnt commit quite to that quite yet.

Hed like to see what some of the younger players could do with Mittelstadt before taking Drouin off the top line.

But its still a good problem to have if, in fact, Kovalenko can hang with the top guys during regular-season play.

This article first appeared on Colorado Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission..

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