Avalanche Lineup Notes For Rangers Tonight

Valeri Nichushkin may play tonight. He was not at the morning skate today, however. Artturi Lehkonen was at the morning skate, in a regular jersey, and even practiced on the first power-play unit. But he will not play tonight against the New York Rangers. Just another normal day with the Colorado Avalanche, in other words.

You can’t assume anything these days with the Avalanche, who hope to break a two-game losing streak against the Blueshirts at Ball Arena (7 p.m.).

Jared Bednar said, despite Lehkonen looking like a regular at the skate, he “isn’t quite ready.” Nichushkin has been skating with a regular jersey of late, but Bednar said he just “took the morning off.” He said “possibly” Nichushkin will play. We’ll just have to wait for the official lineup sheet tonight.

Other Avalanche lineup and team stuff: Brad Hunt was called up from the Colorado Eagles and is expected to play tonight. This would be the veteran D-man’s first game as an Av. Jacob MacDonald is expected to be a forward tonight. Maybe. We’ll see. … Martin Kaut cleared waivers and was reassigned to the Eagles. …Avalanche are allowing 33.3 shots per game, sixth-most in the NHL. They are averaging 32.4 shots for per game. … Alexandar Georgiev will start in goal for Colorado. He was great against the Rangers earlier in the season in New York, against his former team.

Here’s video of Jussi Parkkila giving his usual pep talk to Georgie on days he starts:

Here’s the now traditional pep talk Jussi Parkkila gives Georgie on days he starts pic.twitter.com/qPTMGwqqEb

— Adrian Dater (@adater) December 9, 2022

The Rangers are coming off a solid 5-1 win in Vegas. … Igor Shesterkin is expected to get the start in goal for the Rangers, who had an optional skate and Jaroslav Halak was the lone goalie on the ice. … Evan Rodrigues and Darren Helm took part in the skate, but in non-contact jerseys. Neither will play tonight, but both seem close to returning. … I chatted some with Adam Foote at the skate. He’s enjoying his trial period as an in-studio host with Altitude. He’s been excellent. … Avalanche are +135 underdogs at SuperBook Colorado. … Want $5 off a yearly subscription to Colorado Hockey Now? Use the promo code word 5off in the easy checkout box here. The price will drop from $29.99 to $24.99.