Colorado Avalanche lines and D pairs for Game 1 vs. St. Louis

Finally back home, after going to practice earlier today (had some errands to run, and ran into a bit of a DaterJinx with some delays in getting them done). First, let’s get right to the Colorado Avalanche lines and D pairs that, barring anything unforeseen overnight or tomorrow morning, will be in place for Game 1 of a quarterfinal playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday night at Ball Arena:

Gabe Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen

Andre Burakovsky-Nazem Kadri-Joonas Donskoi

Brandon Saad-Tyson Jost-Valeri Nichushkin

Alex Newhook-P.E. Bellemare-J.T. Compher

D

Devon Toews-Cale Makar

Ryan Graves-Sam Girard

Patrik Nemeth-Conor Timmins

Grubauer

THOUGHTS: So, the kid, Newhook, is in. Carl Soderberg and Jayson Megna were the extra forwards at practice. I think playing Newhook is the right call. I want as much speed and talent in my lineup against this Blues team as possible. It’s nice having Soderberg in your back pocket as a potential fill-in for anyone, and maybe we’ll see him play in St. Louis, where the Blues will have the last change and where Jared Bednar might want a bit more of a defensive-oriented lineup out there. But I think Newhook should be in there. He’s got top-6 talent, and I don’t care that he’s on a fourth line. That is a fourth line that can actually score goals. … Nathan MacKinnon, who did a Zoom call and said he feels real good, said Newhook can be an “X-Factor” in the series with his speed and shot. … Said Landeskog of the Blues: “We know them well and they know us well. It should be a fun series.” … Timmins skated with Nemeth for the full practice and didn’t seem bothered from that puck to the right ankle the other night. … First power play unit is Makar, Landeskog, Donskoi, Rantanen, MacKinnon. Second unit: Toews, Girard, Kadri, Saad, Burakovsky. … Bednar wasn’t happy with his team’s intensity at one point in practice, stopping things and barking out: “We got guys wandering around out here. … This is the (bleepin’) playoffs. This isn’t gonna be a (bleepin’) cakewalk.” … Bednar took a day off from the media. … Blues leading scorer David Perron (Covid-19 protocol) will not be available for Game 1, coach Craig Berube said. … MacKinnon said of Rantanen, when asked about him: “He’s such a beast.” … Bo Byram participated in the full practice, in a regular jersey.