The Colorado Avalanche are set to face the Dallas Stars at 2 p.m. MT in their first afternoon game of the season. Following this matchup, they’ll take on the Minnesota Wild in another matinee on Monday.
Typically, NHL players follow a structured routine for game days starting at 6 p.m. or later. This includes team meetings, a morning skate, and a workout. Players then take an afternoon nap, have a pregame meal, and arrive at the rink at least two hours before puck drop.
“It’s a different kind of preparation. Today, you should already be thinking about the game a bit more. When you wake up, your mind is already set on it, so it’s just a slight adjustment,” head coach Jared Bednar shared after Friday’s practice. “I don’t think the players change their routines much once they’re at the rink.”
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood noted that day games aren’t necessarily harder than night games, emphasizing the importance of a good night’s sleep before an early start. Players arrive at the rink early to get into the right mindset.
“You just need to make sure you’re fully awake, have a good breakfast, and get a solid warm-up in. Once the game starts, it feels the same as any other,” Blackwood explained.
The Avalanche must bring their mental A-game to compete with a strong Dallas Stars team, currently ranked third in the Central Division and two points ahead of Colorado.
“They’re a deep team and play the right way. They come at you in waves, forecheck hard, and take plenty of shots with tips and screens. They also have solid skill. They’ll be a good test and a tough opponent for us,” said the 28-year-old netminder.
Colorado is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, where they surrendered a 3-0 lead. Friday’s practice at Family Sports was energetic, setting the tone for Saturday’s 2 p.m. start.
“I love afternoon games. There’s a certain excitement to them you leave it all on the ice and still have time to rest without dealing with those late-night starts like yesterday. I think our players enjoy them too. We should come out with a strong effort tomorrow,” Bednar said.
The Avalanche had one of their best starts of the season against the Oilers and aim to replicate that performance on Saturday. Their preparation remains consistent, with the added focus of facing a highly skilled opponent. Bednar emphasized the need to improve game management to avoid one-sided play.
The coach has been experimenting with line combinations over recent games. For Saturday’s clash, he confirmed Ross Colton will start on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. However, Bednar may return Rantanen to the second line if the top lines struggle to deliver results.
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