Avalanche vs. Kraken, Game 61: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche took a beating on Saturday afternoon. The schedule is giving them a chance to bounce back just 28 hours later.

There’s a lot to clean up for the Avalanche. They’ve given up 14 goals in the last two games. It’s the first the franchise has given up that many goals in a two game stretch since 2011. Seattle is the fifth highest scoring team in the NHL, so it won’t get any easier on Sunday night.

They should get some help in the form of Valeri Nichushkin. On the ABC broadcast yesterday, it was mentioned that the Avalanche expect him to be able to suit up against the Kraken. The team sent Ben Meyers back to the AHL after the game to make room for another skater.

Expect Alexandar Georgiev to start again in net. He was pulled on Saturday afternoon, but Jared Bednar said he wants him to play again on Sunday.

The Kraken appear set to make the playoffs in just their second season as an NHL franchise. With 76 points in 62 games, they even have a shot at winning the Pacific Division.

Offensively, they are led by veteran Jordan Eberle, who leads the team with 50 points. Jared McCann leads the way with 30 goals. It’s the first time he’s hit that mark in his career.

This will be the final matchup of the year between the two teams. The Avalanche took the game in Seattle in January, while the Kraken won in Ball Arena back in October.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Valeri Nichushkin

Alex Newhook – J.T. Compher – Mikko Rantanen

Andrew Cogliano – Lars Eller – Logan O’Connor

Matt Nieto – Evan Rodrigues – Denis Malgin

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Samuel Girard – Bowen Byram

Jack Johnson – Brad Hunt

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Keith Kincaid

Expected Seattle Kraken Lines, per DailyFaceoff.com

Jared McCann – Matty Beniers – Jordan Eberle

Jaden Schwartz – Alexander Wennberg – Oliver Bjorkstrand

Eeli Tolvanen – Yanni Gourde – Ryan Donato

Brandon Tanev – Morgan Geekie – Daniel Spring

Defense

Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson

Jamie Oleksiak – William Borgen

Carson Soucy – Justin Schultz

Goaltenders

Philipp Grubauer

Martin Jones

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 23.2%, 7th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 77.8%, 18th in NHL

Seattle Kraken Power Play: 20.4%, 20th in NHL

Seattle Kraken Penalty Kill: 73.9%, 28th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+, Altitude TV, Root Sports

Radio: 92.5 Altitude Sports Radio

Game Time: 7:00 PM MST