Second-year forwards Alexander Kerfoot and Tyson Jost, who are being counted on to relieve some of the offensive burden from Nathan MacKinnon and linemates Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, came through Friday night.
“We know what the first line’s all about, we know how good they are,… Kerfoot said. “They’re going to show up every night and produce and be dynamic offensively, so the other nine forwards have to step up and kind of do it by committee.…
Kerfoot had his first goal of the preseason and two assists at left wing and Jost, who centered the line, scored his first off a terrific Kerfoot pass in the Avalanche’s 4-3 preseason win in overtime against Minnesota at the Pepsi Center.
Colin Wilson, who played right wing on the unit, had an assist.
“It was nice to see those guys get on the board, that’s what we were hoping for, that’s what we were expecting,… coach Jared Bednar said.
Goalie Philipp Grubauer had 21 saves for the Avalanche (2-3-0), who outshot the Wild (2-4-1) 41-24.
Rantanen scored on a 4-on-3 power play at 1:29 of the extra period off a MacKinnon pass against former Avalanche goalie Andrew Hammond, who relieved Alex Stalock midway through the second period.
Matt Calvert put the Avalanche in front 3-1 with a power-play goal at 6:16 of the third period, but the Wild tied the game on goals by Nino Niederreiter at 8:12 and Jason Zucker (two assists) while shorthanded on a 2-on-1 rush with 1:02 to play.
“I thought we got better as the game went along,… Kerfoot, who rang a penalty shot off the crossbar with 34.7 seconds left in the second period, said of his line. “It’s a good challenge for the rest of us because there are lots of guys on this team who are capable of producing offensively. On any given night I think anyone can step up and fill that role.…
The line combined for nine shots to go along with five points.
“Wilson is healthy and looks like a quicker player,… Bednar said. “Last year he was banged up quite a bit, had some hip problems. This year he’s been healthy so far and he’s playing real hard. He’s a big body guy (6-1, 221), is heavy on pucks, does some dirty work for those other guys.
“(Kerfoot and Jost) are still working it out but making plays. I like Kerfoot, two of the last three games he’s played, he’s been really good, so that’s a positive sign.…
With one preseason game remaining – Sunday in Dallas -- Bednar said Wilson has the edge for the right wing spot on the second line with Kerfoot and Jost.
He’s also looking at Calvert as a possibility and wanted to give Sven Andrighetto a chance, but he’s expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a left foot injury he sustained in practice.
Forward Vladislav Kamenev is day to day with a leg injury.
The Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen line finished with five shots and was a combined minus-6.
Defenseman Tyson Barrie had two assists.