Avalanche vs. Canadiens, Game 44: Lines, Starting Goalies & How To Watch

It’ll be a reunion of sorts on Monday night when the Colorado Avalanche take on the Montreal Canadiens.

Jonathan Drouin, who played for the Canadiens for six seasons, will face-off against his old team while riding a hot streak with the Avalanche. Drouin has 16 points in his last 15 games, and has been elevated to the top line because of his strong play. The 28 year old winger signed with the Avalanche over the summer after struggling with injuries and never quite living up to expectations with the Canadiens. He’ll no doubt be a popular man with the Montreal media after morning skate.

Unfortunately, the Avalanche will not face Alex Newhook. The former Colorado forward has been out of the lineup since the end of November with a lower-body injury. It also doesn’t appear they’ll face Justin Barron, who the Avalanche sent to the Canadiens in exchange for Artturi Lehkonen. His absence is due to a healthy scratch as opposed to an injury.

Miles Wood rejoined the team Montreal, but will not play, as he has to work back into game shape. Bowen Byram skated in a non-contact jersey for the first time at morning skate. Valeri Nichushkin will not play, and there are rumors swirling around him, but nothing to confirm. There is an official update expected on him later today, according to Jared Bednar.

Alexandar Georgiev will get the start in net for Colorado. Expect either Ivan Prosvetov or Justus Annunen to start on Tuesday in Ottawa.

The Canadiens will start Jake Allen against the Avalanche. Goaltending has been one of the bright spots this season for Montreal, who don’t play defense all that well, but Allen has the worst numbers of the three net minders on the Canadiens.

While not completely out of the playoff race, Montreal is in the middle of a rebuild and isn’t expected to make a run at the postseason. If anything, they’ll be dealing players away come trade deadline, like Sean Monahan.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Jonathan Drouin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Joel Kiviranta – Ross Colton – Logan O’Connor

Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Johansen – Jason Polin

Kurtis MacDermid – Fredrik Olofsson – Caleb Jones

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Sam Girard –  Josh Manson

Jack Johnson – Sam Malinski

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Expected Montreal Canadiens Lineup

Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky

Harvey-Pinard – Evans – Gallagher

Roy – Monahan – Armia

Pezzetta – Stephens – Ylonen

Defense:

Guhle – Matheson

Struble -Savard

Harris – Kovacevic

Goalies:

Jake Allen

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 25%, 8th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 83%, 9th in NHL

Montreal Canadiens Power Play: 17.9%, 22nd in NHL

Montreal Canadiens Penalty Kill: 73.2%, 28th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+, Altitude TV

Radio: 92.5 Altitude Radio

Game Time: 5:00 PM MST