Avalanche gain on Golden Knights in West race

LAS VEGAS -- The Colorado Avalanche gained ground in the race for first place in the Honda West Division when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 at T-Mobile Arena on Monday.

Philipp Grubauer made 36 saves, and Alex Newhook had two assists for the Avalanche (37-13-4), who have won three games in a row and trail the Golden Knights by two points with one game in hand.
"Without [Grubauer], we don't have any chance in this one, in my opinion," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "Vegas was more competitive, won the bulk of the puck battles, played with more pace, (had) better execution. Their commitment to check was strong, and I didn't think we executed what we wanted to do in that game at all."
Robin Lehner made 19 saves for the Golden Knights (39-14-2), who played with 10 forwards and five defensemen due to NHL salary cap constraints and injuries to forward Peyton Krebs (fractured jaw) and defenseman Alec Martinez (lower body).
Colorado and Vegas have clinched Stanley Cup Playoff berths from the eight-team West. The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues have the other berths.
Alex Pietrangelo gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 8:11 of the first period. The rebound from Nicolas Hague's point shot kicked to Pietrangelo, who beat Grubauer glove side from the right face-off circle.
"A little disappointed, obviously," Pietrangelo said. "We knew what was at stake tonight. That's an impressive effort to limit that team with as many weapons as they have."

Alex Tuch had the chance to extend the lead 18 seconds later, but he missed a wide-open net after receiving a pass from William Carrier on a 2-on-0.
Andre Burakovsky tied it 1-1 at 7:04 of the second period when he scored from the high slot. The goal was Burakovsky's 100th in the NHL.
Vegas outshot Colorado 29-13 through the second period.
"I thought we were still outplaying them in the third. We doubled them in shots, we didn't give up a lot of Grade A's," Vegas forward Mark Stone said. "Overall, I liked the way we played. This time of year, you want to play well going into the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs. It would've been nice to get that win and reflect on the season, knowing the standings were set. At the same time, this group doesn't sit back. We'll be ready to play Wednesday (against the San Jose Sharks)."
J.T. Compher gave Colorado a 2-1 lead at 11:33 of the third period, jamming a centering pass from Newhook five-hole on Lehner.
"My season, obviously it's been a little up and down, and I have played throughout the lineup," Compher said. "But the last month or so I feel like I'm playing my hockey again, skating and going to the net. That was a great play by [Conor] Timmins to get to the line, and Newhook gets to the net. It felt good to get that one tonight."
NOTES:Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a lower-body injury. He had two shots on goal in 20:32. … Krebs sustained a fractured jaw in a 4-1 win against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, had surgery Sunday, and is out indefinitely, Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said.