Avalanche Game 13 vs Seattle Kraken, Lehkonen Returns, Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (5-7-0) are back at home to take on the Seattle Kraken (5-7-1) in their second meeting in as many weeks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.

The Avs are getting a huge piece back in the lineup tonight as Artturi Lehkonen is set to make his season debut. Lehkonen will join the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, which causes a trickle-down effect that makes the rest of the lines look a bit better than in recent games. Lehkonen is just the first of many pieces the team hopes to have back soon.

Valeri Nichushkin was the story of Monday’s practice, as head coach Jared Bednar announced that the 29-year-old Russian forward will return on Nov. 15 against the Washington Capitals upon serving the remainder of his six-month suspension. Nichushkin practiced with the Avs on Monday for the first time but remains in Stage 3 of the NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Jonathan Drouin (day-to-day) and Miles Wood (IR, retroactive to Oct. 28) could also be potentially nearing a return.

In goal, the Avs are going to Justus Annunen again. The Finnish netminder lost his first start on Saturday at Nashville. He’s been Colorado’s most consistent goaltender. Alexandar Georgiev will back him up and Kaapo Kahkonen is a healthy scratch.

Bednar described defenseman Devon Toews as a player who has been “just okay” this season. Toews has two assists in eight games this season because of an injury that kept him out for four games. He had a better showing against the Predators but was unable to capitalize on two rush opportunities, both of which missed the net at a crucial time of the game. Bednar said he’d like all of his defensemen to be more involved offensively.

READ MORE: Seven Years Later: Samuel Girard Reflects on Trade and Lasting Impression with the Avalanche (+)

ALSO: Notebook: Valeri Nichushkin Cleared For Practice. Do the Avalanche’s Struggles Make It Easier to Welcome Him Back?

Season Series

• Oct. 22 vs Seattle Kraken (W 3-2)
• Nov. 5 vs Seattle Kraken
• Dec. 22 vs Seattle Kraken

Avalanche Injuries

• Miles Wood (upper body, 7-10 days)
• Ross Colton (foot, 6-8 weeks)
• Jonathan Drouin (upper body, day-to-day)
• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
• Valeri Nichushkin (suspended until at least Nov. 13)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Joel Kiviranta— Casey Mittelstadt — Logan O’Connor
Ivan Ivan – Parker Kelly – Nikolai Kovalenko
Nikita Prishchepov — Chris Wagner — T.J. Tynan

Samuel Girard — Cale Makar
Devon Toews — Josh Manson
John Ludvig — Sam Malinski

Justus Annunen
Alexandar Georgiev

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Justus Annunen (COL)
• Unconfirmed: Joey Daccord (SEA)

Upcoming Milestones

• Mikko Rantanen – needs 6 power-play goals for 100
• Devon Toews — needs 6 assists for 200

How to Watch