The Colorado Avalanche, fresh off a victory at home on Friday, are back on the road!
Tonight, they’ll take on the Nashville Predators in a matchup featuring some very familiar faces wearing opposing colors.
Colorado Avalanche (6-4-1)
The Opponent: Nashville Predators (3-3-4)
Time: 6:00 P.M. MDT/8:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), SCRIPPS (Nashville Local Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – Canada)
Listen:
Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 on Friday night, snapping a two game losing streak. Nathan MacKinnon, who had been held off the scoresheet during the team’s back-to-back road games earlier this week, led the way with a four point effort (1G/3A). Artturi Lehkonen scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season, which stood as the game-winner, and Mackenzie Blackwood turned aside thirty-one of thirty-four shots to pick up his fifth win of the season.
Friday’s game also marked the return of Logan O’Connor to the lineup. O’Connor, who had missed the first ten games of the season with injury, skated on a line with Parker Kelly and Taylor Makar, who was called up from Loveland earlier in the day.
Head Coach Jared Bednar stated on Saturday that Nicolas Roy would accompany the team to Nashville, although he’s considered “questionable but doubtful” for playing on Sunday. As for the injured Zachary L’Heureux, he’s still considered “week-to-week”, but no timetable exists for his return. Taylor Makar also will be on the road trip.
The Avs split the season series against Nashville last season, with both teams splitting victories at home and on the road.
Projected Lineup
Forwards:
Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas
Gabe Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nazem Kadri
Jaden Schwartz – Fedor Svechkov – T.J. Hughes
Logan O’Connor – Parker Kelly – Taylor Makar
Defense:
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Between the Pipes:
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Nashville Predators
Despite Nashville’s refreshed roster courtesy of former Colorado GM Chris MacFarland, Nashville has gotten off to a decidedly lukewarm start, sporting a 3-3-4 record through their first ten games of the season. However, they have also lost five of their previous six games, their most recent loss coming last night in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. With goaltender Juuse Saros starting in goal against Pittsburgh, goaltender Justus Annunen will likely get the call against his former club, who will be well rested and ready when the teams take the ice tonight.
Steven Stamkos leads all Nashville skaters in points (11) and goals (5), captain Roman Josi leads the team in assists (8). Nicolas Hague leads all Nashville skaters in penalty minutes (13). Saros is credited with all three of Nashville’s wins this season. Annunen has played only one game this season with Nashville, who spent time on injured reserve earlier this season.
Despite this game having all the markings of a schedule loss for Nashville, a win tonight could pull them one point behind Colorado in the Central Division standings.
Tonight’s game marks the beginning of a five game home stand at Bridgestone Arena, and their start of their four game series with Colorado.
Projected Lineup
Forwards:
Steven Stamkos – Ryan O’Reilly – Matthew Wood
Filip Forsberg – Mavrik Bourque – Jonathan Marchessault
Vitali Pinchuk – Alex Kerfoot – Nils Höglander
Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Adam Edstrom
Defense:
Roman Josi – Adam Wilsby
Nicolas Hague – Jayden Struble
Brady Skjei – Reid Schaefer
Between the Pipes:
Justus Annunen
Juuse Saros
NOTE: Don’t forget to download the new SB Nation app for a more mobile-friendly way to follow tonight’s action and engage with Mile High Hockey’s match threads. Commenting and interacting with your communities is easier than ever before with the Game Chat feature. The app is currently available in the U.S. and Canada on iOS and Android devices.
