Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs Philadelphia Flyers (1:00 p.m. MST)

The Avs come into this contest coming off of a dominating performance against the Blues, scoring four goals in the first period, including the first goal in an Avs sweater for Martin Necas in his home debut. The speed Necas plays with has meshed seamlessly in the Avs system so far, and a rapport with Nathan MacKinnon is quickly forming.

As for today, the recipe for success should look the same as it did on Friday night. The Avs weren’t afraid to shoot the puck, and were rewarded early and often on the scoresheet. The Blues simply could not keep up. With this being the final time the Avs will play on front of the Avs faithful until February 26th, the Avs should be ready to come out flying and put on another show for the fans.

Cale Makar and Scott Wedgewood were absent from practice on Saturday. Makar, who blocked a shot with his foot against the Dallas Stars on January 18th, has seemingly been managing that issue ever since, so this should be nothing more than maintenance for the Avs star defenseman.

Conversely, Wedgewood’s situation is a mystery. He has not appeared in game action in 8 days, last playing in Boston against the Bruins to open the Avs recent road trip. Additionally, Trent Miner was recalled from the Colorado Eagles yesterday, so the signs point towards Wedgewood being a scratch today.

As is the case with matinee affairs, the Avs won’t have a morning skate prior to the start of the game, so lineups will be confirmed in warmups.

Projected Lineup

Artturi Lehkonen (62) — Nathan MacKinnon (29) — Martin Necas (88)

Jonathan Drouin (27) — Casey Mittelstadt (37) — Juuso Parssinen (16)

Miles Wood (28) — Jack Drury (18) — Ross Colton (20)

Joel Kiviranta (94) — Parker Kelly (17) — Logan O’Connor (25)

Devon Toews (7) — Cale Makar (8)

Samuel Girard (49) — Josh Manson (42)

Keaton Middleton (67) — Sam Malinski (70)

Mackenzie Blackwood (39)

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