Avalanche vs. Penguins, Game 70: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

It’s another matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins, which means all eyes will be on two skaters.

Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby.

The two Nova Scotia natives will go head-to-head on national television Wednesday night. MacKinnon’s team has come out on top in two of the last three matchups, but that one loss came earlier this season, when the Penguins beat the Avalanche 2-1 in overtime. MacKinnon will look for some revenge against his good friend on Wednesday night.

MacKinnon will have a new linemate, as Evan Rodrigues will miss time due to a concussion. Denis Malgin will get the bump up to the top line, coming off a career high three point game.

The Avalanche will also get veteran Darren Helm back in the lineup. The 36 year old has missed all but five games this season. He played a key role in the team winning the Stanley Cup last summer.

For the Penguins, it’s now or never. With four straight losses, they’ve fallen out of a playoff position, for now. They sit just one point back of the Florida Panthers with one game in hand. This game means a lot to them.

Crosby continues to lead the way offensively, even in his 18th NHL season. He has 83 points in 70 games, and is one goal away from hitting 30 for the 11th time in his career.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Denis Malgin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Alex Newhook – J.T. Compher – Valeri Nichushkin

Andrew Cogliano – Lars Eller – Logan O’Connor

Matt Nieto – Darren Helm – Alex Galchenyuk

Defense

Devon Toews – Samuel Girard

Jack Johnson – Bowen Byram

Kurtis MacDermid – Brad Hunt

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Jonas Johansson

Expected Pittsburgh Penguins Lines, per pittsburghhockeynow.com

Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell

Zucker-Malkin-Rust

Heinen-Poehling-Granlund

O’Connor-Carter-Archibald

Defense:

Joseph-Letang

Dumoulin-Ruhwedel

Friedman-Fedun

Goalies:

Jarry

Desmith

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 24.8%, 4th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 79.3%, 17th in NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins Power Play: 21.2%, 15th in NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins Penalty Kill: 79.7%, 16th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: TNT

Radio: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5

Game Time: 6:00 PM MST