Avalanche vs. Capitals, Game 54: Lines, Starting Goalies & How To Watch

The last time the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals met, Nathan MacKinnon casually dropped another four goal game. Perhaps the Capitals were hoping that MacKinnon, who missed practice yesterday, wouldn’t be in the lineup on Tuesday night.

They will not get their wish.

MacKinnon will play on Tuesday, as the Avalanche will look to break a four game losing streak when they play the Capitals. His team could use another four goal performance, but I think Jared Bednar would settle for consistency from his team, who haven’t been able to put together a full 60 minute effort since the All-Star break.

If Monday’s practice is any indication, there will be some changes to the lineup for the Avalanche when they take on the Capitals. Ryan Johansen will drop down to the fourth line, while Fredrik Olofsson will get an opportunity between Lehkonen and Parise. Neither one of the centers has scored since December, so Colorado would settle for any offense out of the two of them.

Alexandar Georgiev will start in net, as he might have been the only bright spot for the team against the Panthers.

The Avalanche will have to be on the lookout for Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin. The 38 year old has suddenly caught fire, scoring in five straight games. His last goalless performance came against the Avalanche back on Jan. 24.

Charlie Lindgren will start in net for the Capitals, as he’ll get another crack at the Avalanche. He gave up six goals in that loss back on Jan. 24, but as strange as it sounds, that game could have been a lot worse if not for him.

Expected Colorado Avalanche Lines

Jonathan Drouin – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen

Miles Wood – Ross Colton – Logan O’Connor

Artturi Lehkonen – Fredrik Olofsson – Zach Parise

Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Johansen – Joel Kiviranta

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Sam Girard –  Josh Manson

Jack Johnson – Bowen Byram

Goalies

Alexandar Georgiev

Expected WASHINGTON CAPITALS Lineup

Ovechkin – Strome – Oshie

Protas – McMichael – Mantha

Pacioretty – Sgarbossa – Wilson

Malenstyn – Dowd – Aube-Kubel

Defense:

Fehervery – Carlson

Sandin – Jensen

Edmundson – Bear

Goalies:

Charlie Lindgren

Special Teams

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 24%, 9th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 81.6%, 9th in NHL

Washington Capitals Power Play: 14.8%, 27th in NHL

Washington Capitals Penalty Kill: 80.3%, 15th in NHL

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+, Altitude TV

Radio: 92.5 Altitude Radio

Game Time: 5:00 PM MST