Avalanche Game 2 v.s. Columbus Blue Jacket, Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (0-1-0) are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2024-25 home opener at Ball Arena.

The Avs will have their work cut out for them without Jonathan Drouin in the lineup. The forward, who started on the top line on Wednesday, suffered an upper-body injury and will miss at least the next two games. In his place, head coach Jared Bednar elevated rookie Nikolai Kovalenko to play alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

Ross Colton has also been shifted to the wing to join center Casey Mittelstadt and 19-year-old Calum Ritchie on the new-look second line.

The Avs are also looking for a goaltending bounce back from Alexandar Georgiev after he surrendered five goals on just 16 shots at T-Mobile Arena.

Read More: Avalanche Claim Goalie Kaapo Kahkonen Off Waivers

Season Series

– Oct. 12 vs. Columbus

– April 3 at Columbus

Avalanche Injuries

Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder, out until at least late October), Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable), Valeri Nichushkin (suspended)

Projected Avalanche Lines

Nikolai Kovalenko — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton — Casey Mittelstadt — Calum Ritchie
Miles Wood – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor
Ivan Ivan — Chris Wagner — Joel Kiviranta

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Calvin de Haan — Sam Malinski

Alexandar Georgiev
Justus Annunen

Projected Starters

Upcoming Milestones

Nathan MacKinnon — needs 8 games for 800

Casey Mittelstadt – needs 3 points for 200

Mikko Rantanen – needs 7 power-play goals for 100

Devon Toews – needs 2 games for 400, 7 assists for 200

How to Watch