We are ready to drop the puck on the final game of the regular season, and it will be the Seattle Kraken visiting Ball Arena for one last showdown before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this weekend.
The Avs are happy to welcome head coach Jared Bednar back behind the bench after he took a puck up high last week against the Calgary Flames.
As Bednar said, “That’s why you keep your head on a swivel and keep your hands out of your pockets.”
The Kraken won’t be a playoff team this year, and so this one
should play out like a ‘no-hitter’ similar to what we saw in the last two contests.
Jared Bednar also mentioned, “We have a bunch of guys sitting out,” so we will keep an eye on who gets a spell this evening.
Colorado Avalanche: 54-16-11
The Opponent: Seattle Kraken (34-36-11)
Time: 8:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche successfully checked a lot of boxes the last time out against the Flames.
Nathan MacKinnon scored another goal, bringing his Rocket Richard total to 53, with only Connor McDavid having a chance at catching him.
McDavid will need to score six goals against Vancouver for that to happen. It’s possible but not likely.
Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood will win the William Jennings trophy, awarded to the team that allows the fewest goals.
Martin Necas logged his 100th point of the season, assisting the previously mentioned MacKinnon empty-netter.
It’s fan appreciation night, so be sure to get to your seats early if you are attending!
Note: Josh Manson and Nazem Kadri will not play this evening. Jared Bednar also mentioned some players will be sitting out, backed up by some transactions ahead of puck drop.
Seattle Kraken
Unfortunately for Kraken fans, this is a road game, so any boo’s for Cale Makar will go unheard.
More unfortunately, that’s the last time we’ve seen the Kraken in the playoffs.
The main thing we are really concerned about, for both teams, is that no one gets injured.
The Avalanche have a lot to play for starting this weekend, and no one wants to head into a vacation banged up.
Note: I decided not to project tonight’s lineups, given both teams’ sitting players and call-ups.
