The Colorado Avalanche, boasting an impressive record of 31 wins, 2 losses, and 7 overtime losses, continue their road trip with a matchup against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, who sit at 21 wins, 16 losses, and 3 overtime losses. Fans can tune in as the puck drops at 3:08 p.m. MT.
Fresh off a massive 5-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes, where they rallied with four goals in the third period to overcome a multi-goal deficit, the Avalanche are currently enjoying a 10-game winning streak. This remarkable performance positions them to surpass the 70-point mark at the midpoint of the regular season, a significant achievement.
Head coach Jared Bednar will need to make strategic decisions regarding goaltending, as Scott Wedgewood recently played against Carolina. Given past practices, it’s possible Wedgewood could take on both games in this back-to-back scenario, especially considering Mackenzie Blackwood’s current absence due to injury. During a previous extended road trip when Wedgewood was sidelined, Bednar leaned heavily on Blackwood, hinting at a similar strategy in this situation.
Another key player to watch is Devon Toews, who experienced a scare after an awkward collision in the third period against Carolina. Although he returned to finish the game, his status for today’s matchup remains uncertain.
For the Panthers, their recent performance has been less than stellar, suffering a significant 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers during the Winter Classic, which marked Florida’s first-ever outdoor game. Complicating matters, defenseman Seth Jones left the rink with an upper-body injury, and his availability for the game against the Avalanche is currently unknown. The Panthers are also working through a string of injuries affecting pivotal players such as Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.
In their previous matchup on December 11, the Avalanche bested the Panthers 6-2, setting the stage for an exciting rematch.
Key injuries for the Avalanche include Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta, Gavin Brindley, and Mackenzie Blackwood, with varying recovery statuses.
Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how today’s game unfolds as momentum builds around the Avalanche’s impressive season and the returning challenges for the Panthers.