The Colorado Avalanche (38-9-9) are back at home for the time after the Olympics to take on the Minnesota Wild (34-14-10). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT.
Key Stories to Watch
- The Avalanche are coming off an impressive 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday. They play the rested Minnesota Wild, who awaited the Avs in Denver while they were on the road. This will be Minnesota’s first game out of the Olympic break.
- Nathan MacKinnon returns after getting the night off in Utah. This was part of the plan coming out of the Olympic Games, but head coach Jared Bednar said he won’t be resting players moving forward. If they’re healthy, they’ll play.
- Mackenzie Blackwood likely gets the nod in goal after serving as the backup in Utah. Blackwood had a strong stretch of games heading into the break for Colorado, giving up just seven goals in his last five starts combined.
- The Wild won their last five games heading into the break. With just seven points separating Colorado from Minnesota, the result of this game could swing things in a big way in either direction. The Avs also have two games in hand on the Wild.
Season Series
- Nov. 28 at Minnesota Wild (L, 3-2, SO)
- Dec. 21 vs Minnesota Wild (W, 5-1)
- Feb. 26 vs Minnesota Wild
- March 8 vs Minnesota Wild
Avalanche Injuries
- Logan O’Connor (undisclosed, TBD)
Projected Avalanche Lines (Subject to Change)
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Gavin Brindley
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Projected Starters (Subject to Change)
- Expected: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
- Confirmed: Filip Gustavsson (MIN)
Upcoming Milestones
- Gabriel Landeskog — needs 6 points for 600
- Martin Necas — needs 6 games for 500
- Devon Toews — needs 9 points for 300
How to Watch
- TV: Altitude TV, KTVD My20, & KUSA9
- Radio: 92.5 FM
