Defensemen injuries are already piling up early in the NHL playoffs
Defenses around the NHL playoffs have been depleted by existing and new injuries, from Tampa Bayโs Mikhail Sergachev and Coloradoโs Samuel Girard being out long term to Carolinaโs Brett Pesce going down Monday night and Washington being down to minor leaguers to fill its many voids.
NHLPA unveils mental health initiative to help hockey players learn more, watch for warning signs
The NHL players union has launched a mental health program aimed at educating and helping players learn more about their own well-being and that of their teammates and families.
Perron scores twice, Blues even series with 4-1 win over Avs
David Perron scored twice, Jordan Binnington made 30 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 to tie their second-round series at a game apiece.
Manson scores 8:02 into OT, Avs beat Blues 3-2 in Game 1
Josh Manson scored 8:02 into overtime, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves in his return to the net from an eye injury, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in Game 1 of their second-round series.
Makar, Avs rally past Bruins 4-3 for 17th straight home win
Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with 36.5 seconds left in regulation and Cale Makar scored a power-play goal 3:01 into overtime as the Colorado Avalanche rallied past the Boston Bruins 4-3 for their 17th straight home victory.
Avs beat New York 7-3; Trouba delivers another hard check
Logan OโConnor scored twice in a 22-second span in a five-goal second period, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Rangers 7-3, ending New Yorkโs seven-game winning streak.
![Rantanen scores OT winner, Avs up 2-0 in series vs. Knights](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/oa-FfZ5k_mi9KnhW9S94iTq_cIA=/800x573/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MBIWRIPYCBDATAWNYHL3KMY4PY.jpg)
Rantanen scores OT winner, Avs up 2-0 in series vs. Knights
Mikko Rantanen scored a power-play goal 2:07 into overtime, Philipp Grubauer outdueled fellow Vezina Trophy finalist Marc-Andre Fleury and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.
![Avalanche blaze past Knights 7-1 in penalty-filled Game 1](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/M6v1ZNq8kZPj98ImkIwlGXITMBA=/800x545/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SDEKP4I6KRAKNIQBFL6ARDX4CE.jpg)
Avalanche blaze past Knights 7-1 in penalty-filled Game 1
Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog each scored twice as the well-rested Colorado Avalanche made quick work of Vegas with their speed, beating the Golden Knights 7-1 in a skirmish-filled Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
![Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/rCKoCnqVwNRDU8q3mT5aVaZHsfw=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JMYQQ6GWAZFRFJ7LHCQ6JU4PGI.jpg)
Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win
Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves and Gabriel Landeskog scored the go-ahead goal in the second period to lift Colorado to a series sweep of the St. Louis Blues with a 5-2 win in Game 4 of the West Division series.
![Jost scores twice, Avs clinch No. 1 seed with win over Kings](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ThjvCUYzTOWCXkE5K2ychSLefqc=/800x559/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/M7LPCHZ24RGILMVK4DALHEYYQY.jpg)
Jost scores twice, Avs clinch No. 1 seed with win over Kings
Tyson Jost scored two of Coloradoโs five second-period goals as the Avalanche clinched the West Division and the top overall seed in the NHL playoffs with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
![Avs beat Golden Knights 3-2 in delayed Lake Tahoe game](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/x3jb0V7h4ada10sS-fx6-NE8lPE=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OXBTGMZWRVFNBNUY4HBZ4INUNU.jpg)
Avs beat Golden Knights 3-2 in delayed Lake Tahoe game
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) races for the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of of Outdoor Lake Tahoe NHL hockey game at Stateline, Nev., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli))STATELINE, Nev. โ Nathan MacKinnon scored a dazzling goal more than nine hours after assisting on another to highlight a most unusual and lengthy outdoor game at Lake Tahoe that the Colorado Avalanche won 3-2 over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Although itโs fair to say that none of those had the picturesque setting of this rink located on the 18th fairway of a golf course on the shores of Lake Tahoe and surrounded by trees with snow-covered mountains towering in the background. Fleury made 36 saves for Vegas and fell to 0-3 in three career outdoor game starts. AdPART 1The Avs controlled the play under the sun, getting an early goal from Girard and outshooting Vegas 17-8 in the first 20 minutes.
![Tahoe setting is 'mic drop' moment for outdoor NHL games](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/JGjtNjaMpqF46-2DxaK0qS11j-U=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UVXDILLJZNGPNOY23YXQYWKOJI.jpg)
Tahoe setting is 'mic drop' moment for outdoor NHL games
Workers put the finishing touches on the temporary ice rink, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, built at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, that will host two NHL games, this weekend at Stateline, Nev. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)STATELINE, Nev. โ Some players snapped pictures of Lake Tahoe and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains as they came out for their first look at the picturesque outdoor rink that will host a pair of NHL games this weekend. This is a drop the mic type outdoor rink. The guys really, really enjoyed it today. The only thing weโre missing is fans.โAdWith the COVID-19 pandemic limiting attendance at games, the NHL took the opportunity to hold a pair of outdoor games at a unique setting unlike the 30 previous outdoor games at stadiums.
![Toffoli scores NHL's first outdoor hat trick, Kings beat Avs](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/O7wD9DzTiyGvcBkeOPyakx_2B98=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/4OOZJ3UG6VBZXCS3Y4GPYK4OBM.jpg)
Toffoli scores NHL's first outdoor hat trick, Kings beat Avs
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Tyler Toffoli will remember the Los Angeles Kings' 3-1 win over Colorado on Saturday night at the Air Force Academy for so many reasons. Aside from Tofolli's hat trick, Kopitar said he took in many memorable moments in the NHL's second service academy game. At 6,621 feet above sea level, this was the highest altitude ever for an NHL game. This was the Avs' second outdoor game and the Kings' third. This is the second outdoor game played at a service academy.