Avalanche Game 35 at Anaheim Ducks, Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (19-15-0) complete a back-to-back in California on Friday with their second meeting of the season against the Anaheim Ducks (12-14-4). Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: Avalanche Defeat Georgiev; Blackwood Reflects on San Jose Career

The Avalanche are coming off a 4-2 victory in San Jose thanks to a three-goal third period to come from behind. Mackenzie Blackwood was in goal against his former team and made 32 saves to earn the win. At the other end, Alexandar Georgiev let in a goal on his first shot and four overall against the Avs just 10 days after he was traded away. Georgiev made several great saves, including a breakaway and a one-timer stop on Valeri Nichushkin when San Jose led by a goal.

Joel Kiviranta had two even-strength goals in the third period to break the tie. The other two tallies came from the top stars but both were scored on the PP. Colorado’s power play was 2-for-4 after scoring just three times with the man advantage in the last 10 days.

The Avs called up Jere Innala on Thursday and the Finnish forward could make his NHL debut against the Ducks. The 26-year-old undrafted forward has five goals and 10 assists in 21 games with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.

Scott Wedgewood is expected to get the nod in goal after backing up for the last three games. Wedgewood is 3-2-0 since joining the Avs. He’s let in just nine goals and has a .931 save percentage. This would be his first start since Dec. 12.

Since there won’t be a morning skate, we won’t have confirmation about Innala or Wedgewood until closer to game time. Bednar also said several days ago that Josh Manson might play on the road trip. He skated in a non-contact sweater in San Jose so it’s unlikely he dresses in Anaheim.

Friday’s matchup ends another road trip for the Avs. Their 11 road wins are tied for the fifth most in the NHL.

The Ducks enter the matchup riding a two-game winning streak. Their most recent win was the most impressive, defeating Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. Not only did they score twice late in regulation to get the win, but they held Winnipeg’s offense to just 23 shots on goal.

Season Series

• Oct. 18 vs Anaheim Ducks (W, 4-3 OT)
• Dec. 20 at Anaheim Ducks
• April 13 at Anaheim Ducks

Avalanche Injuries

• Josh Manson (upper body, could return this 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)

READ MORE: 10 Observations: Blackwood Outduels Georgiev 10 Days After Trade (+)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

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

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

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Unconfirmed: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
• Confirmed: John Gibson (ANA)

Upcoming Milestones

• Mikko Rantanen — needs 2 PPG for 100
• Nathan MacKinnon — needs 4 PPG for 100
• Cale Makar — needs 5 goals for 100
• Logan O’Connor — needs 3 games for 300
• Chris Wagner — needs 4 games for 400
• Devon Toews — needs 6 assists for 200

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude Sports
• Radio: 92.5 FM