ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Avalanche defensemen Sam Girard, 21, and Cale Maker, 20, have developed elite skating and puck-moving ability. But as far as experience goes, Girard has 155 more regular-season games than Makar, and Avs coach Jared Bednar senses he needs to reel the rookie back as far as responsibility goes.
So, for the second consecutive game Monday, Girard will quarterback the No. 1 power play as red-hot Colorado (7-0-1) takes on the St. Louis Blues — the defending Stanley Cup champions — to complete a five-game road trip. Makar ran the No.