Preview: The Mammoth roll in for opening night at Ball Arena

Can the Avalanche stay undefeated and get a win in their home opener?

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

The Avalanche are undefeated after thwarting the LA Kings in their own barn, and now it’s time for the home opener at Ball Arena. The Utah Mammoth and their new brand hope to spoil Colorado’s home debut in the first game of their regular season. Will the Mammoth survive the storm of a frenzied crowd and seemingly loaded Avalanche team? The hype is real, and the thunder rolls.

Colorado Avalanche:
1-0-0

The Opponent: Utah Mammoth 0-0-0

Time: 7 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM

Colorado Avalanche

We got our first

glimpse of Bednar’s vision for the forward group on Tuesday, which featured a young Gavin Brindley but surprisingly no Zakhar Bardakov, who appeared to be a shoo-in after camp. Bardakov may get the young guy spot tonight, but things went so well against LA that you almost wonder if Bednar lets it ride. When I say the things went well for Colorado on Tuesday, that’s almost putting it lightly. The Kings aren’t presenting as a perennial powerhouse, but what impressed me was the defensive accomplishment Colorado stunted in the second period, all starting with Josh Manson’s thunderous hit on Warren Foegele. They were quick to loose pucks and excellent at forcing turnovers in the neutral zone. Colorado’s reputation as a gritty and stingy defensive team would, in my opinion, further validate Stanley Cup aspirations.

On top of that, we saw a two-goal performance from Martin Necas, a vintage Lehky goal off the magic of Makar, and Nathan MacKinnon distributing the puck like Nikola Jokic does the basketball, all on national television.

Coach Bednar had this to say regarding Cale Makar’s move on the blue line, “Whoa.”

I said it during the game that one thing is for sure —this team is fun.

I think Wedgewood would have gotten a shutout in the first game if not for Brandt Clarke’s third-period antics. MacKinnon took a penalty, sticking up for Lehkonen, who Clarke cross-checked dangerously. Shortly after, Manson went off for the same reason, and LA cashed in on the 5-on-3. Otherwise, Scott was brilliant and proved plenty capable of manning the helm while MacKenzie Blackwood gets squared away. He should get the start again tonight.

Projected Lineup:

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

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Sam Girard — Josh Manson
Sam Malinski — Brent Burns

Scott Wedgewood
Trent Miner

Utah Mammoth

The UHC will forever be known as the Utah Mammoth as of this season, and the Avalanche will be throwing them a bizarre welcome party. So glad you could make it! Over here, we have the world’s most electrifying forward for you to keep track of. If you’d like to enjoy a dose of Norris Calliber defending, please see Cale Makar. If you’re looking for exemplary leadership and character, Gabe Landeskog is the one to watch. Don’t like any of that? Too bad!

All jokes aside, the Mammoth have made blips on some pundits’ radar as a potential dark-horse playoff team.

They have the bones of the Arizona Coyotes squad from a few years ago, but have since added some young and promising talent. That talent has raised expectations in Utah, who will have to do their best to stay in the hunt while playing in arguably the league’s most competitive division.

The Mammoth may have found their netminder in Karel Vejmelka, who has been in the Coyotes/Utah system since 2021 after playing Czech hockey for five years. Last season was by far his most successful in North America, in which he posted a 2.58 GAA and 9.04 SV%.

Playing the Avalanche will prove to be a litmus test for the Mammoth and could pose a real opportunity for springboarding their season early on. Will they send the rest of the Central an early statement?