After a successful first half of the road trip and back-to-back with their 5-2 victory over Chicago last night, the Colorado Avalanche ventured to Columbus to complete their quick road swing. For many reasons the Blue Jackets organization is a place of familiarity. It’s where Jared Bednar was hired from and it’s where old friends either were brought in from or eventually sent to. Tonight is Colorado’s first meeting with Val Nichushkin who was moved to Columbus in a cap dump trade over the summer.
Which team will show they won that trade tonight?
Colorado Avalanche: (9-5-1)
The Opponent: Columbus Blue Jackets (5-7-0)
Time: 5:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+ (0ut-of-market)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado did not hold a morning skate as they are conserving rest through this back-to-back but it is expected they are going to use the same lineup as they did last night in Chicago. The one extra on the trip is Keaton Middleton but Jared Bednar seems content with Noah Juulsen on the third pair even on short rest.
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Nicolas Roy
Jaden Schwartz — Nazem Kadri — T.J. Hughes
Logan O’Connor — Fedor Svechkov — Parker Kelly
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Brent Burns — Sam Malinski
Brett Kulak — Noah Juulsen
Columbus Blue Jackets
As per usual, the Blue Jackets are having a tough go early on. Their 10 points place them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, though with only 12 games played they have a few games in hand on their divisional opponents. Kent Johnson leads the team with 12 points and reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski only has 10 points as well. Charlie Coyle, whom the Avalanche jettisoned in the Gavin Brindley trade, sits third on the team with nine points. They will need to create more offense to move up the standings and to have a shot at winning tonight.
Projected Lineup:
Matthew Knies — Adam Fantilli — Kent Johnson
Valeri Nichushkin — Luca Del Bel Belluz — Conor Garland
Cole Sillinger — Charlie Coyle — Mathieu Olivier
Ryan Lomberg — Sean Monahan — Dmitri Voronkov
Zach Werenski — Damon Severson
Ivan Provorov — Denton Mateychuk
Jake Christiansen — Dante Fabbro
Goaltenders
Following Mackenzie Blackwood’s turn in net last night in Chicago it seems Scott Wedgewood will close out this road trip looking to bounce back from his last outing in Nashville. Hopefully the team in front of him is up to the task as well. For Columbus, it’s expected Cam Talbot will get the nod in net tonight.
