Avalanche vs. Coyotes, Game 35: Lines, Starting Goalies & How To Watch

Fresh off some feasting and family time, the Colorado Avalanche and the Arizona Coyotes will meet again. Will a few days away from the game eliminate some of the anger we saw between the two teams on Saturday night? I guess we’ll find out.

Maybe this game is becoming a bit of a tradition, as the Avalanche traveled to Arizona to face the Coyotes right after Christmas last year. That night didn’t go so well, as they fell by a score of 6-3, so they’re hoping this one goes a little better. It’s a difficult game to play, because NHL rules state that the visiting team can’t travel until the morning of the 27th. Because the 24th, 25th, and 26th are mandatory days off, teams are forced to fly out on the day of the game. That gives an advantage to the home team, but it’s up to them to take advantage of it.

While Sam Girard is nearing a return, he will not play for the Avalanche against the Coyotes. The team will have a full practice in St. Louis tomorrow and will set a date for his return soon.

Alexandar Georgiev is expected to start in net for Colorado. The Coyotes will turn to Karel Vejmelka to start against the Avalanche. It will be the first time this season Colorado has faced him and not Connor Ingram.

The Coyotes will also be missing defenseman J.J. Moser, who left Saturday’s game after taking a big hit from Miles Wood. He will be replaced in the lineup by Juuso Valimaki.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Valeri Nichushkin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Miles Wood – Ross Colton – Jonathan Drouin

Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Johansen – Logan O’Connor

Kurtis MacDermid – Fredrik Olofsson – Joel Kiviranta

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Bowen Byram –  Josh Manson

Jack Johnson – Sam Malinski

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Expected Arizona Coyotes Lineup

Keller – Kerfoot – Schmaltz

Maccelli – Bjugstad – Crouse

Carcone – McBain – Sanford

O’Brien – Cooley – Zucker

Defense:

Valimaki – Stetcher

Durzi – Kesserling

Dermott – Dumba

Goalies:

Karel Vejmelka

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 23.6%, 10th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 83.3%, 6th in NHL

Arizona Coyotes Power Play: 23.2%, 11th in NHL

Arizona Coyotes Penalty Kill: 80.2%, 14th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: Altitude TV, ESPN+

Radio: 92.5 FM

Game Time: 7:00 PM MST