Conclusion: Evaluation of the individual performances in the 3:6 defeat on Sunday

DENVER – Preseason results aren't the be-all and end-all, but for head coach Jared Bednar, Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club at Ball Arena wasn't great in the final 40 minutes.

According to the coach, the Avs had a strong first half but struggled later on. The team's usual third line, Ross Colton, Logan O'Connor and Miles Wood all made their debuts. But other than that, the forward group again consisted largely of rookies or fringe players fighting for top positions and top minutes in the American Hockey League.

My findings from Monday's performance:

Justus Annunen: The Avs' backup goalkeeper played the entire 60 minutes and made some good saves, but overall it was a forgettable performance for the 24-year-old.

Annunen allowed a brutally soft wrist shot to AHLer Cameron Hebig on Utah's third goal. Hebig shot from outside the circle without anyone between him and the goalkeeper.

But the first two goals weren't great either, even though both were scored by one of Utah's best players, Dylan Guenther.

On the first goal, Günther was prepared for a one-timer and brought the puck through Annunen from an angle. Annunen seemed to be able to save the ball, but the puck slipped under his arm. For Guenther's second goal, another one-off goal from the circle, Annunen was unable to get over the goal in time, leaving Günther an open goal.

“A few early copies I would like him to get back,” Bednar said.

Annunen also gave up a goal late in the second period to Josh Down and another in the third period to Clayton Keller.

Sam Malinski: Colorado's second-year defensive lineman told me Wednesday that he wouldn't focus too much on competing for a roster spot on defense. Rather, his only goal for training camp and preseason was to secure a spot on the squad through his play.

It's safe to say the 26-year-old is doing just that. The highlight of his performance on Sunday was his extraordinary power play goal. Malinski picked up the puck in his zone and went end-to-end – beating the Utah defenseman before pushing the puck five holes past goaltender Karel Vejmelka.

He had the confidence to make a play like that and executed it well. Aside from the goal, Malinski looked comfortable in the defensive zone and like a player who already has a year under his belt in Colorado's system.

Bednar isn't ready to reveal how the battle for ice time on defense would play out, but Malinski has done his part to be in the opening lineup so far.

“We don’t select our team based on experience. We choose it based on performance,” Bednar said.

Oliver Kylington: One of the other blueliners fighting Malinski for a spot on the roster is Oliver Kylington. And it hasn't been the best camp or preseason for him so far. In Sunday's loss, Kylington's problems were highlighted by a poor turnover in the defensive zone in the second period. He had the puck to Annunen's left and sent a pass straight down the middle that was intercepted and ultimately led to a scoring opportunity for Utah.

Kylington arrived late in Denver due to visa issues and needed an extra day to break in the new equipment before joining the group on the ice. And that was ultimately the start of a difficult week. In two preseason games, Kylington has been inconsistent and hasn't looked like the player he was in Calgary.

Luckily for him, there are still preseason games left and opening night is more than a week away. Plenty of time to turn things around.

Logan O'Connor O'Connor suited up for the first time since March 4 and made his pre-season debut with assistant captain 'A' on his jumper. The 28-year-old, who extended his contract by six years on Monday, had to undergo hip surgery in the spring. He has since recovered and is back as fast as last season. It was great to see him in a game again and working with Ross Colton and Miles Wood.

Calum Ritchie: Jared Bednar was excited to talk about the goal Ritchie scored in the third period. But he also admitted that the rookie didn't have a great game defensively.

“He’s showing what he can do, in some ways it’s really brilliant, with the puck,” Bednar said. “The goal was amazing.”

According to Ritchie's tally, he took a breakout pass from Malinski and went into the breakaway. Ritchie faked a shot that took Vejmelka out of position before finishing the move with a backhand.

The 19-year-old is still competing for a squad spot and the chance to open the season alongside Casey Mittelstadt on the second line. Bednar said after the game that Ritchie and Mittelstadt will play at least one preseason game together.

Maybe Tuesday at Ball Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights.