Colorado Avalanche hit by another absence as Nicolas Roy misses Penguins game
Photo credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Nicolas Roy is out and Jared Bednar must adjust fast as the Colorado Avalanche reshuffle their lineup before facing Pittsburgh.
The news dropped pregame. Roy is dealing with an upper-body injury and won't dress, leaving a gap in Colorado's forward rotation.
That matters. Roy isn't a headline name, but he stabilizes the middle six and handles tough defensive minutes.
Bednar didn't overcomplicate things. He kept Nathan MacKinnon's line intact with Martin Necas, leaning on that trio to drive offense early.
It's a trust move. When depth takes a hit, coaches shorten the bench and ride their top unit harder.
Lower in the lineup, the impact is real. Jack Drury and Joel Kiviranta see more responsibility, especially in defensive-zone starts.
Colorado depth tested again
The second line still features Valeri Nichushkin, giving Colorado a power element that can tilt the ice on the cycle.
But Roy's absence shifts the penalty kill rotation. That's where his minutes quietly add up over a full game.
Parker Kelly and Logan O'Connor now carry more weight on the forecheck. Expect a more direct, physical approach from that group.
On defense, nothing changes. Cale Makar continues to lead the blue line, pushing the pace and jumping into the rush when lanes open.
Colorado enters at 46-13-10, so the structure is there. Still, these are the games where depth gets exposed.
Scott Wedgewood gets the start in goal. With a reshuffled forward group, rebound control and communication become even more important.
And there's another wrinkle. Artturi Lehkonen is also out, while Sean Behrens draws in and Calum Ritchie sits as a healthy scratch.
This isn't panic mode. But it's a clear test of how much the Avalanche can absorb before it starts to show on the ice.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 24|27 ANSWERS Colorado Avalanche hit by another absence as Nicolas Roy misses Penguins game Is Nicolas Roy's absence a bigger loss than it looks for Colorado ? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 59.3 % |
| No | 11 | 40.7 % |
| List of polls | ||