Avalanche Game 32 vs Nashville Predators, Mackenzie Blackwood Debut! Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (17-14-0) look to bounce back at home in the third of four meetings with their division rival Nashville Predators (8-16-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: 10 Observations From the Avalanche’s 4-1 Loss to Utah Hockey Club (+)

The Avalanche fell 4-1 to Utah Hockey Club on Thursday in their first game back at home following a successful five-game road trip. The game felt off from the onset, and we later learned that an illness was, and still is running through the Avs’ dressing room. As a result, Friday’s practice was switched to an optional, and only Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt (and an injured Josh Manson) skated.

On a more exciting note, Mackenzie Blackwood is set to get the start in goal for Colorado, making his debut with the club following the multi-piece trade last week that brought the goalie to Denver in a deal that sent Alexandar Georgiev And Nikolai Kovalenko the other way. Blackwood is going head-to-head with Juuse Saros, while former Avs netminder Justus Annunen will be the backup.

Annunen led the Predators to an impressive 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday where he made 35 saves and nearly earned a shutout. The goalie likely wants a crack at his old squad but will have to wait until February to get his chance.

With the power play struggles the team has faced in recent games, Avs coach Jared Bednar shook things up at morning skate. Both Ross Colton and Casey Mittelstadt are being elevated to the top unit with Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar. As a result, Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen are shifting to the second PP unit.

Season Series

• Nov.2 at Nashville Predators (L, 5-2)
• Nov. 11 vs Nashville Predators (W, 3-2 OT)
• Dec. 14 vs Nashville Predators
• Feb. 22 at Nashville Predators

Avalanche Injuries

• Josh Manson (upper body, week-to-week)
• Oliver Kylington (upper body, week-to-week)
• Miles Wood (upper body, LTIR)
• 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
Joel Kiviranta – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor
Givani Smith — Ivan Ivan — Chris Wagner

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton — Calvin de Haan

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
• Confirmed: Juuse Saros (NSH)

Upcoming Milestones

• Mikko Rantanen — needs 3 PPG for 100
• Nathan MacKinnon — needs 4 PPG for 100
• Cale Makar — needs 5 goals for 100
• Logan O’Connor — needs 6 games for 300
• Chris Wagner — needs 7 games for 400
• Devon Toews — needs 7 assists for 200

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude Sports
• Radio: 92.5 FM