Avs Notebook: MacKinnon back

As the snow melts away the Avs were warming up on the ice for tomorrow’s big game. That was the best pun I had. Buh-dum-bum.

The biggest question heading into today’s practice was an update on Nathan MacKinnon and coach Jared Bednar confirmed today, he’s good to go for tomorrow. The top line is reunited and it feels so good. 

MacKinnon has been out since January 26th after taking a hit and his stick smashing into his face, from Boston’s Taylor Hall. He missed four games and the All-Star game, where he was named captain of the Central Division. Mackinnon ended up having surgery for a broken nose. 

“The timing of it, where he only has to miss a handful of games, not only is he back and feeling better and he’s good to go,” Bednar said.

Shades on, flight soon. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/lrYLW6gdFS

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 12, 2022

Early into practice, Mikko Rantanen broke the glass behind the net with a shot, so the team had to utilize half a sheet of ice today. The team focused on the power play, which included MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen, Kadri and Makar. Practice was light-hearted but everyone got a good amount of skating in before departing for Dallas. 

The Avs take on the Dallas Stars (25-18-2) tomorrow afternoon before the “other” big game starts. The team hopes to have a stream of the Super Bowl on the way back. A team member will be missing the Avs game due to being in attendance at the Super Bowl. Gabe Landeskog rallied the troops to send equipment manager Don White to the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. 

“Landy and the players started it out,” said Bednar. “He’s a big fan. He’s got Bengal shoes, every day he’s pretty much wearing Bengals gear so I would say he’s a pretty big fan of all Cincinnati sports.” 

Looks like we have a solid Sunday of sports ahead for everyone involved. Who ya got Avs fans? For both games.