The Colorado Avalanche (43-25-3) begin their last long homestand against the Detroit Red Wings (33-31-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT.
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These last 11 games, starting with four straight at Ball Arena, are all about fine-tuning before the playoffs. Colorado is 10-1-1 in its last 12 since getting Valeri Nichushkin back from injury. The Avs won 5-4 in their last outing, defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the shootout after giving up a three-goal lead in the third period.
The late push from the home team was yet another challenge the team has faced and overcome in its recent stretch of play. Giving up that type of lead isn’t ideal, but still finding ways to win is a positive in itself.
Against the Red Wings, Colorado looks to continue a nine-game winning streak at Ball Arena. Jared Bednar’s club is still fighting for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, albeit it’s looking less likely with each passing game.
The Avalanche are 1-0-0 against the Wings this year, winning the first matchup at Little Caesars Arena 2-1 back in December. That meeting was the last game of Alexandar Georgiev’s tenure with Colorado before being traded to San Jose for Mackenzie Blackwood.
Blackwood gets the start in goal for the Avs, coming off a solid shootout performance against the Habs.
On defense, the Avs will once again be without one of their blueliners. Erik Johnson missed practice on Monday after getting banged up and will sit for this one. Returning in his place is Samuel Girard, who will play on the third pair alongside Keaton Middleton. The Avs also recalled Jacob MacDonald as an extra body.
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The Red Wings are 3-8-0 in their last 11 games and have watched their playoff hopes wither away with each passing loss. They enter this matchup on the heels of a 5-1 triumph over Utah Hockey Club last night. In that game, Petr Mrazek was injured in the opening minute and was replaced by Alex Lyon, who let in a goal on his first shot.
The Wings only had 14 shots but still got five past Karel Vejmelka. Four teams stand between Detroit and the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
Cam Talbot gets the nod in goal.
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Season Series
- Dec. 7 at Detroit Red Wings (W, 2-1)
- March 25 vs Detroit Red Wings
- Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
- Josh Mason (upper-body, TBD)
- Erik Johnson (undisclosed)
Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri Nichushkin Artturi Lehkonen — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas Joel Kiviranta – Charlie Coyle — Ross Colton
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinski
Samuel Girard — Keaton Middleton
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
- Confirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
- Expected: Cam Talbot (DET)
- Logan O’Connor — needs 2 points for 100
- Martin Necas — needs 3 assists for 200
- Brock Nelson — needs 2 goals for 300
- Erik Johnson — needs 6 goals for 100
- TV: Altitude TV
- Radio: 92.5 FM
