Andy Cross / The Denver Post)
DENVER — The Avalanche opened the preseason Tuesday with a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at the Pepsi Center. The defending Western Conference champs scored twice on the power play in building a 3-0 lead and cruised to their second straight exhibition triumph. Avs rookie defenseman Ryan Graves, acquired from the New York Rangers for Chris Bigras in February, scored Colorado's goal.
The Avalanche used its most of its core players in the opener, because it was at home. Most of the second-tier players and other youngsters will play at Minnesota on Saturday night in the second of six preseason games.