Colorado Avalanche
FILE - Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky scores an empty net goal against Sweden during the men's bronze medal hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Beijing. The new 3ICE 3-on-3 league debuted in mid-June with Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier, Grant Fuhr, Joe Mullen and Larry Murphy among the coaches. The International Ice Hockey Federation and IOC have discussed the possibility of bringing 3-on-3 to the Olympics for another medal event after the same happened with basketball at the Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
3-on-3 hockey league launches, could be step toward Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 29, 2022 04:28 PM EDT

Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche 1/17/2022

Jan. 20, 2022 02:18 PM EST

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) falls on Nashville Predators right wing Rocco Grimaldi (23) after chasing the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators 12/16/2021

Dec. 17, 2021 06:18 PM EST

Montreal Canadiens players and coaching staff look on from the bench against a backdrop of empty seats during during second-period NHL hockey game action against the Philadelphia Flyers in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
NHL shuts down 2 more teams for a week amid COVID surge

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 17, 2021 06:17 PM EST

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, left, is checked by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Denver. The Avalanche won 4-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche 10/13/2021

Nov. 08, 2021 11:44 AM EST

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, left, is checked by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, in Denver. The Avalanche won 4-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Valeri Nichushkin facing doping case from 2013, Russia says

Nov. 08, 2021 11:37 AM EST

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) breaks a stick on Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights 6/10/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) knock Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) to the ice during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, June 4, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights 6/4/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nick Holden, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, defenseman Zach Whitecloud and right wing Reilly Smith celebrate with teammates after the Golden Knights scored in overtime of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, back, reacts Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Denver. The Golden Knights won 3-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche 6/8/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) breaks a stick on Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MacKinnon, Avs left frustrated by another early playoff exit

By Pat Graham Jun. 11, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) reacts after the team's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche 6/2/2021

Jun. 03, 2021 01:16 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) reacts after the team's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Latest: Nuggets, Avalanche arena OK for full capacity

By The Associated Press Jun. 03, 2021 01:15 PM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) watches during the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, May 24, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
The Latest: Notre Dame prepares for full football attendance

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2021 12:50 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues 5/23/2021

May. 24, 2021 04:20 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Blues bound for change after 'embarrassing' 1st-round sweep

By Stephen Whyno May. 24, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, checks St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz in the corner in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NHL clears Blues, Golden Knights after virus testing errors

By Stephen Whyno And Pat Graham May. 19, 2021 03:01 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads back to the net during a timeout in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche 5/17/2021

May. 18, 2021 01:14 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads back to the net during a timeout in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon, Grubauer lift Avs to 4-1 win over Blues in Game 1

By Pat Graham May. 18, 2021 01:12 AM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates at the end of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
The Latest: Avalanche, Nuggets get OK to increase capacity

By The Associated Press May. 12, 2021 11:36 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer adjusts his mask as he heads back to the net during a timeout against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 30, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Grubauer helps Avs break 3-game slide in 3-0 win over Sharks

By Pat Graham Apr. 30, 2021 11:45 PM EDT