Avs-Blackhawks pregame report: Jayson Megna recalled, Jonathan Toews returns

Opening night is here. Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Ball Arena, 8 p.m. on TNT channel. The long off-season is finally over, and the Avs hope to go into the 2021-22 season on a winning way.

Some personnel stuff: Jayson Megna was recalled by the Avs this morning from the Colorado Eagles. It remains to be seen whether he is in the lineup tonight or not, as Kurtis MacDermid was a fourth-line forward at yesterday’s practice.

Either Megna or MacDermid figures to be the healthy scratch among the forwards. With Nathan MacKinnon (Covid protocol) the Avs decided on the Megna callup.

Darcy Kuemper still start in goal, and the Avs’ defense is expected to be:

Girard-Makar

Byram-E. Johnson

J. Johnson-Murray

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to start Avs nemesis, Marc-Andre Fleury. The Blackhawks also will welcome captain Jonathan Toews back to the lineup. He missed all of last season with an immune disorder.

Chicago also will see the debut of defenseman Seth Jones, who signed a big contract with the team after being acquired from Columbus. His brother, Caleb, also plays on the team.

We’ll have full coverage of the game tonight. And, if you want in on our $20.21 sale, hit the subscribe button up top, click on yearly membership and throw in the code word 2021 in the checkout box. Your price will magically drop from $29.99 to $20.21.