Connect with us

Avalanche Pregame Notes

Avalanche Game 47 vs Dallas Stars, Matinee Hockey! Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Published

on

The Colorado Avalanche (27-18-1) continue their homestand against the Dallas Stars (28-15-1) in the first of two straight matinee games. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:08 p.m. MT.



READ MORE: Rantanen Extension Talks Could Pick Up Over 4 Nations Break

Today’s matinee begins arguably the most important three-game stretch of the season thus far. The Avalanche look to bounce back from a disappointing 4-3 loss in regulation to the Edmonton Oilers where they led 3-0 just past the midway point of the first period.

But the real test begins against the Stars. Colorado is falling behind three teams in the Central Division but will play each of them over the coming days. The team is 0-1 against Dallas this season, albeit that was back before the two goalie trades. Since it’s an early game without a morning skate, it’s unclear which goalie is going to get the nod, although it’s a safe bet to expect Mackenzie Blackwood to make yet another start opposite Jake Oettinger.

Colorado is 6-7-0 against the Central so far and has lost two of its last three against divisional teams.

Against the Oilers, Bednar jumbled the lines to start but returned to a more usual lineup, which saw Casey Mittelstadt elevated back to the second line between Mikko Rantanen and Ross Colton. Parker Kelly was reunited with his usual linemates and Juuso Parssinen centered the fourth line between two AHL call-ups. But following the game, Jason Polin was sent back to the AHL.

The Avalanche called up Ivan Ivan and he’ll make his return to the NHL lineup for the first time since Dec. 27. The young forward has a goal and an assist in two AHL games since being sent down earlier in the week.

READ MORE: How Mackenzie Blackwood Gave Avs a ‘Chance to Win’

Dallas comes to town for its first game back in Denver since eliminating the Avalanche from the second round of last year’s playoffs.

The Stars lost their most recent game, falling 4-1 at home to the Montreal Canadiens. They have a 13-9-0 record on the road. They’re also among the best teams in inter-division matchups, boasting an 11-3-1 record against the Central.

Matt Duchene leads the team in scoring with 41 points in 44 games. While Pete DeBoer’s club has been getting scoring from all over the lineup, the top stars on the team aren’t putting up numbers like they were a year ago. The only point-per-game player on the roster is Tyler Seguin, who had 20 points in 19 games before suffering a long-term injury.

Miro Heiskanen — one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen — has just five goals and 20 points in 44 games. He had two assists in the earlier matchup between the Avalanche and Stars in late November.

READ MORE: Avalanche Look Drastically Different at 6-on-5 Compared to the PP

Season Series

  • Nov. 29 at Dallas Stars (L, 5-3)
  • Jan. 18 vs Dallas Stars
  • March 16 vs Dallas Stars

Avalanche Injuries

  • Valeri Nichushkin (lower body, day-to-day)
  • Oliver Kylington (upper body, IR)
  • Miles Wood (upper body, LTIR)
  • Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Jonathan Drouin โ€” Nathan MacKinnon โ€” Artturi Lehkonen
Ross Colton โ€” Casey Mittelstaadt โ€” Mikko Rantanen
Joel Kiviranta โ€“ Parker Kelly โ€“ Logan O’Connor
Jere Innala โ€” Juuso Parssinen โ€” Ivan Ivan

Devon Toews โ€” Cale Makar
Samuel Girard โ€” Josh Manson
Keaton Middleton โ€” Calvin de Haan

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

  • Unconfirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
  • Unconfirmed: Jake Oettinger (DAL)

Upcoming Milestones

  • Cale Makar โ€” needs 1 goal for 100
  • Jonathan Drouin โ€” needs 1 goal for 100
  • Ross Colton โ€” needs 1 games for 300
  • Devon Toews โ€” needs 2 assists for 200
  • Nathan MacKinnon โ€” needs 4 PPG for 100
  • Logan Oโ€™Connor โ€” needs 4 points for 100
  • Mikko Rantanen โ€” needs 8 assists for 400
  • Mackenzie Blackwood โ€” needs 10 wins for 100

How to Watch

  • TV: Altitude TV
  • Radio: 92.5 FM

Colorado's premier coverage of the Avalanche from professional hockey people. Evan Rawal, Editor-in-Chief. Part of the National Hockey Now family.

This site is in no way associated with the Colorado Avalanche or the NHL. Copyright ยฉ 2023 National Hockey Now.