Avalanche 3 Canucks 1: MacKinnon sizzles, visitors didn’t fizzle in Pepsi Center

DENVER — It wasn’t going to be easy to find their way. The moral compass was missing.
There was no Thomas Vanek to set the right mood in the room, set up shop in the slot, set screens, deflect pucks and unleash that heavy half-slapper Monday against the Colorado Avalanche.
The hired gun, who proved to be so much more for the Vancouver Canucks — mentor, leader and teacher — was moved as expected Monday at the NHL trade deadline and his absence was noticeable.
His former te