DENVER — Four games played, two to go. Happy.

The Avalanche suffered another preseason loss on Tuesday, falling 6-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights after a dull third-period performance. It really feels like this year’s practice matches have been a bit tricky to get through. I wrote earlier this morning about the number of roster spots that were up for grabs, and it’s clear the focus was on allowing that group to get a shot.

Some of them have done well, like Sam Malinski, who was complimented by head coach Jared Bednar as the best deep defenseman yet. But the results have not led to victories. Which doesn’t matter much at this time of year. The Avs had a tough preseason last season and followed it up with a 6-0-0 start to the regular season. But Bednar admitted there is still a lot of clean-up to do before they open the season in Vegas next Wednesday.

If Sunday’s defeat was the match that highlighted Malinski as a standout, it was about Nikolai Kovalenko proving he belonged. The 24-year-old has stood out from the pack as a clear candidate to play in the top six to start the season. And if he can perform like this all year, Bednar may struggle to keep him out of the top nine, even if all of his forwards are healthy.

“Yes, definitely,” said Bednar, when asked if Kovalenko was a bright spot. “I thought he stood out again, like he was working hard, making plays, making plays under pressure. He made plays from the D-zone, the neutral zone and the offensive zone. It wasn’t perfect, but on the power play, it was good again.”

Kovalenko played on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He put in an Artturi Lehkonen-lite-like performance, playing the role of the puckhound who dug pucks out of the corner after every dump-in. His ability to get to the dangerous areas is one of the best traits we’ve seen from him in the KHL and that’s why the Avs are excited to have him.

He was also parked in front of the opposition goal during the power play, playing a role often played by Valeri Nichushkin, and before him Gabriel Landeskog.

“He had some really good opportunities. He played with two really good players, and at times they had a decent night with the puck,” Bednar said. “But he certainly showed that he can at least go into that spot and create some opportunities on his own and with his linemates can help create.”

Kovalenko is not a traditional rookie due to his experience in the KHL. So it’s no surprise that he seems comfortable in the role that suits him best. But if Tuesday proved anything, it’s that his role – his play fits the Avalanche just as well as his previous teams.

It also gave Bednar an idea of ​​what it would be like if he decided to split the wealth among his top four healthy forwards. Kovalenko lining up with MacKinnon and Rantanen could give Casey Mittelstadt a chance to play with Jonathan Drouin. Bednar would not fully commit to that yet. He would like to see what some younger players can do with Mittelstadt before taking Drouin off the top line.

But it’s still a good problem to have if Kovalenko can essentially stay among the top players during the regular season.