It’s taken two-thirds of the NHL season, but Andrew Agozzino finally will get a chance to suit up for the Avalanche.
Agozzino, 28, will center the fourth line Monday when the Avalanche play Vegas at the Pepsi Center.
The GAME NOTES.
Agozzino was recalled from the Colorado Eagles on Sunday. He leads the Eagles in scoring and is fourth in the AHL with 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games.
The Avalanche reassigned Sheldon Dries and Dominic Toninato to the Eagles.
“In my younger years, I would have maybe got a little more impatient, but being a little older now I just tried to stay with it and trust myself and my game and not let it get to me if I wasn’t called up,… Agozzino said after the morning skate.
Agozzino will center a line with Sven Andrighetto and A.J. Greer.
The Avalanche have lost six consecutive home games while being outscored 28-9. They are 0-for-23 on power plays in the past eight games overall.
“He’s been making plays down there 5-on-5 and on the power play,… coach Jared Bednar said of Agozzino. “I think he’s a trusted two-way guy, kills penalties, kind of a jack-of-all-trades. He’s a smart player, intelligent, plays both sides of the puck. That’s what we need, trustworthy guys.
"Agozzino is one of the league leaders down there, big leader in their locker room. Offensive side of the puck, defensive side of the puck, he has put together a really nice campaign so that is why he is here getting a look tonight."
Agozzino has three assists in 10 previous NHL games. This will be his first since April 9, 2016 against Anaheim.
Semyon Varlamov was the first goalie off the ice and is expected to start.
Backup Malcolm Subban will make his second start in a row for the Golden Knights, playing back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Subban made 29 saves Saturday in a 5-1 win against Nashville when Vegas ended a three-game losing streak.
The probable Avalanche lineup:
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen Alexander Kerfoot – Tyson Jost -- J.T. Compher Matt Nieto – Carl Soderberg – Matt Calvert Sven Andrighetto – Andrew Agozzino -- A.J. Greer
Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson Nikita Zadorov -- Tyson Barrie Ryan Graves -- Patrik Nemeth
Semyon Varlamov Philipp Grubauer