Avalanche Game 28 at Detroit Red Wings, Ross Colton Returns! Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (14-13-0) are in Motown to continue their five-game road trip with a matchup against the struggling Detroit Red Wings (10-12-4). Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: 10 Observations From the Avalanche’s 5-3 loss to Carolina (+)

Ross Colton is making his return for the Colorado Avalanche just 40 days after breaking his foot. He was expected to miss 6-8 weeks but is making his way back into the lineup before the six-week mark.

Colton skated in a burgundy sweater at morning skate at Little Caesars Arena, signifying he’ll be on the second power play. He’ll also start on the wing, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed. Colton was moved to the wing and played in the top six earlier in the season when Jonathan Drouin, Artturi Lehkonen, and Valeri Nichushkin were unavailable. At the time of his injury, Colton was among the league leaders in goals. He has eight in just 10 games, four of which were scored on the man advantage. Colton had only three PPGs all of last season.

The Avs are hoping to get a jolt from his return as they take on a struggling Red Wings team that has just three wins in their last 10. In their last game, Colorado lost 5-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes despite scoring the first goal. It was goalie Scott Wedgewood’s first start with the team since being acquired.

Wedgewood will play Sunday in New Jersey but Alexandar Georgiev gets the nod vs the Red Wings. He’ll go up against Ville Husso, who was recalled from the AHL following injuries to both Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon. Husso has not yet won a game this season in five games (0-3-2, 3.69 GAA, .877 save percentage).

Season Series

• Dec. 7 at Detroit Red Wings
• March 25 vs Detroit Red Wings

Avalanche Injuries

• Josh Manson (upper body, week-to-week)
• Oliver Kylington (upper body, week-to-week)
• Miles Wood (upper body, IR)
• Jonathan Drouin (upper body, week-to-week)
• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton — Casey Mittelstadt — Valeri Nichushkin
Nikolai Kovalenko – Ivan Ivan – Logan O’Connor
Chris Wagner — Parker Kelly — Joel Kiviranta

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Calvin de Haan — John Ludvig

Alexandar Georgiev
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Alexandar Georgiev (COL)
• Confirmed: Ville Husso (DET)

Upcoming Milestones

• Nathan MacKinnon — needs 5 assists for 600, 4 PPG for 100
• Cale Makar — needs 6 goals for 100
• Mikko Rantanen — needs 3 games for 600, 3 PPG for 100

How to Watch