Preview: It’s Nordiques vs. Whalers at Ball Arena

SB Nation

Well, folks, the long-anticipated wait is finally over. The teasing and trolling are over, and we have the new Nordiques Jersey. The first game they will see comes against the Hartford Whalers, or as they are currently

known, the Carolina Hurricanes. This game doesn’t just set up as a sight for sore eyes because of the threads and nostalgic aesthetics, but also because these two teams are good. Let’s put it this way: they might look like NHLers from the early ’90s, but this game will be played at a much higher pace.

Colorado Avalanche: 5-0-2

The Opponent: Carolina Hurricanes 5-1-0

Time: 7:00 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM

Quebec Nordiques (Colorado Avalanche)

The Avalanche were a bit disappointed in their performance last time out against a seemingly pesky and tenacious Utah Mammoth club. That might be true, but stealing a point and remaining unbeaten in regulation seven games into the season is among the more idealistic ways to begin a season.

Colorado lost in part due to a controversial offside ruling by referees and Toronto NHL HQ alike when Gabe Landeskog’s first regulation goal in three years was taken off the board. The NHL spent a good chunk of time and effort on Wednesday, detracting fans who weren’t satisfied with, “Nichushkin’s actions forced the Utah player to put it back into his own end.” Jared Bednar had this to say regarding the ruling, “It’s bogus… I think they got it wrong.” He also called it nonsense, and I tend to agree.

Let’s see if Landeskog and the whole second line can get back on the scoresheet tonight against Carolina, who will test Colorado’s depth just like any other Stanley Cup Contender.

We will get to see Scott Wedgewood’s throwback goalie gear tonight, which will be awesome. I have said this in many different ways in all of my previews so far this season—Scott Wedgewood is good. The Avalanche is currently allowing the fewest goals per game (1.86 GAA), and seeing as no one else has even gotten a start between the pipes, that’s all, Scott, who currently holds the NHL’s fourth-best save percentage (.927) as well.

Last thing I’ll add, and I’ll be quick. Let the Marty Party roll on and let it roll against his former club!

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabe Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Viktor Olofsson
Parker Kelly — Zakhar Bardakov — Gavin Brindley

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Ilya Solovyov — Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Trent Miner

Hartford Whalers (Carolina Hurricanes)

As mentioned, the Hurricanes are a great team and a solid litmus test for the Avalanche, as hopes of a long playoff run and cup quest feel more and more legitimized. The Hurricanes are all about puck possession, as Jackie Kay mentioned in this week’s edition of the Mile High Hockey Lab, so we should key on that part of the game early, given that Colorado similarly prioritizes puck possession.

This game could get spicy and has the potential for a pseudo-rivalry, as many fans of the two clubs are at odds over the Mikko Rantanen and Martin Necas/Jack Drury trade. Brent Burns, also formerly of the Carolina Hurricanes, will be honored ahead of tonight’s game for his 1,500th career NHL contest as well. Any revenge-game scenario can play into the formation of a rivalry, but I say “pseudo” because the two won’t play much due to conference alignment.

Carolina is off to a good start themselves with just the one regulation loss in their first six games, which came on Monday at the hands of the Mitch Marner-led Vegas Golden Knights. Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho, and Shayne Gostisbehere are the point leaders in Carolina, and they’ve added K’Andre Miller to their back end, who has 4 points in six games so far.