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The Colorado Avalanche (28-18-1) continue their homestand against the Minnesota Wild (27-15-4) in another matinee matchup at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. MT.
READ MORE: How Will Jared Bednar Spend His Time During 4 Nations?
Coming off a big win against the Dallas Stars, the Avs have a chance to really gain ground on the suddenly struggling Wild with another win. If they manage a regulation victory, it’ll put them a point ahead of Minnesota in the standings but the Wild would have a game in hand. All things considered, that’s pretty good considering that less than two months ago, Minnesota had an eight-point lead and two games in hand.
Jared Bednar’s club was hoping to get Valeri Nichushkin back for this game but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Nichushkin practiced on Sunday on the fourth line but was unable to finish practice. Bednar sounded a bit frustrated after the skate to not have him back yet, but it’s looking more like a return against Winnipeg is in the cards if all goes well. Coincidentally, that’s all the team the Avs were playing when he got injured on New Year’s Eve in the first place.
The new-look second line, consisting of Artturi Lehkonen, Casey Mittelstadt, and Jonathan Drouin was incredible against Dallas. The duo combined for four of the six Avalanche goals and 10 points overall. The Avs have needed that line to pick it up lately, especially Mittelstadt, who has been slumping for more than two months.
If Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Ross Colton (eventually Nichushkin) get going, it would give Bednar a solid top-six for the first time in a while.
It’s also unclear at this time if Cale Makar is going to play today. He didn’t skate during Sunday’s practice and the update on him sounded promising but not guaranteed.
“He’s doing okay,” Bednar said yesterday. “He’s a little sore so he’s been getting treatment and that will continue throughout the course of the day. But hopefully he’s a player for us for [Monday].”
READ MORE: Mittelstadt Finds Right Linemates, Ends Scoring Slump
The Wild have been playing arguably their worst stretch of hockey all season, losing three straight in regulation.
Like their last meeting against the Avs, they’re still dealing with a handful of injuries. Brock Faber has since returned and is playing top-line minutes on the blueline alongside Keaton’s older brother Jacob Middleton. But in their last game, John Hynes’ club was still missing Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, Kirill Kaprizov, Marcus Johansson, and goalies Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt.
Gustavsson is expected to return against the Avs.
If Gustavsson doesn’t start, it means Marc-Andre Fleury would get the nod in what could be his last game at Ball Arena. He’s 16-12-3 against the Avalanche in his career but 6-5-1 in Denver. Fleury hasn’t faced the Avs since losing to them twice while playing for Chicago during the 2021-22 season.
Gustavsson has not been great against the Avs. He’s lost five straight and is 1-6-1 overall.
READ MORE: What Will Lineup Look Like When Nichushkin Returns (+)
Season Series
- Jan. 9 at Minnesota Wild (W, 6-1)
- Jan. 20 vs Minnesota Wild
- Feb. 28 vs Minnesota Wild
- March 11 at Minnesota Wild
Avalanche Injuries
- Valeri Nichushkin (lower body, day-to-day)
- Oliver Kylington (upper body, IR)
- Miles Wood (upper body, LTIR)
- Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)
Ross Colton — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Jonathan Drouin — Casey Mittelstaadt — Artturi Lehkonen
Joel Kiviranta – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor
Jere Innala — Juuso Parssinen — Ivan Ivan
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Keaton Middleton — Calvin de Haan
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Projected Starters (subject to change)
- Expected: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
- Unconfirmed: Marc-Andre Fleury (MIN)
Upcoming Milestones
- Devon Toews — needs 2 assists for 200
- Nathan MacKinnon — needs 4 PPG for 100
- Logan O’Connor — needs 4 points for 100
- Mikko Rantanen — needs 7 assists for 400
- Mackenzie Blackwood — needs 10 wins for 100
How to Watch
- TV: Altitude TV
- Radio: 92.5 FM
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