Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant matched his top line against the Colorado Avalanche’s top line Thursday for a defensive draw with 12:27 left in a 1-1 game.
That is, with one change.
Gallant sent center Paul Stastny, who normally skates on the second line, to the faceoff dot across from the Avalanche’s No. 1 center, Nathan MacKinnon. It was the first of two times Gallant substituted Stastny in for a defensive draw without the rest of his linemates in the third period, showing the faith the Knights have in the 33-year-old to get the puck.
“Stastny’s a real good faceoff (taker),” Gallant said.