The Colorado Avalanche, currently holding a record of 7-1-5, are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a game scheduled to begin at 7:52 p.m. MT. This matchup will be nationally televised on TNT, heightening the excitement surrounding the clash.
In goal for the Avalanche will be Scott Wedgewood, following teammate Mackenzie Blackwood’s season debut in a tough 3-2 overtime loss against the San Jose Sharks. The team has also brought up forward Tristen Nielsen, who will make his NHL debut on the fourth line after being signed to an NHL contract just a week prior. He steps in for Taylor Makar, who is absent following the recent loss.
The Lightning, on the other hand, experienced a rocky start to the season with a 1-4-2 record in their first seven games. However, they have rallied impressively, winning five consecutive games, the longest active winning streak in the league.
Notably, this game marks the first time Gabe Landeskog will face the Lightning since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2022, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
In terms of injuries, the Avalanche have a few key players missing: Logan O’Connor is nearing a return from his hip injury, Samuel Girard is day-to-day with an upper body issue, Joel Kiviranta is out indefinitely with a lower body injury, and Gavin Brindley is currently in concussion protocol.
The projected lines for the Avalanche are as follows:
– Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
– Ross Colton — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
– Gabriel Landeskog — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
– Parker Kelly — Zakhar Bardakov — Tristen Nielsen
On the defensive end, the expected pairings are:
– Devon Toews — Cale Makar
– Josh Manson — Brent Burns
– Ilya Solovyov — Sam Malinski
Wedgewood will be confirmed in goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start for the Lightning.
Additionally, several milestones are on the horizon, with Jack Drury needing just one game for his 200th, Gabriel Landeskog just two goals shy of reaching 250, and Brock Nelson looking to gain nine points to reach 600.
As fans gear up for this anticipated showdown, both teams will be looking to solidify their standing and build momentum as the season unfolds. The matchup presents a great opportunity for the Avalanche to showcase their depth and skill on home ice, and it promises to be a compelling game for hockey enthusiasts.