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Avalanche Pregame Notes

Avalanche Game 49 vs Winnipeg Jets, Homestand Finale, Lines, Notes & How to Watch

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The Colorado Avalanche (28-19-1) close out their homestand against the Winnipeg Jets (31-14-3). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:38 p.m. MT.



READ MORE: Bednar on Nichushkin: ‘We Don’t Have a Solid Timeline’

In the third straight game against top teams in the Central Division, the Avalanche are looking to close out the homestand with a winning record. They were excellent against the Dallas Stars on Saturday but took two giant steps back on Monday against Minnesota.

Since joining the Avs, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has been great, win or lose. He was the best player in the 3-1 loss to the Wild and will get the nod again tonight.

The Avs announced an unfortunate bit of news earlier in the day when Jared Bednar said Valeri Nichushkin suffered a setback and isn’t close to returning. There was a chance earlier in the week that he’d play during the homestand. The team will continue to play Ivan Ivan and Jere Innala on the fourth line.

There will be one change on defense. After being scratched for the last three games, Sam Malinski re-enters the lineup, replacing Calvin de Haan. Malinski will play with Keaton Middleton on the third pair.

“I sort of got the hint,” Malinski said of why he was scratched. “It’s obviously frustrating, it’s tough. You just have to kind of learn from it. And I’m trying to believe that it’s all part of the process in my development. Think I definitely understand the message.”

Bednar added: “He’s back in because we just lost a handful of games. … I want to see him play a solid 200-foot game.”

Colorado hasn’t yet scored on Connor Hellebuyck in two games this season after lightning him up in a short five-game series last April. Bednar believes it’s because he’s playing excellent but also that the Avalanche aren’t quite challenging him the way they were in the postseason.

READ MORE: Avalanche Stumble Offensively in Frustrating Loss to Minnesota

Winnipeg has been on one of its worst runs of the season, going 4-4-2 in its last 10 games. The Avs are 5-4-1.

The Jets are 2-1-0 thus far in the season series, winning both games when Hellebuyck was in goal. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner shutout the Avs both times and has three straight regular-season shutouts against Colorado dating back to last season.

In their last outing, Winnipeg lost 5-2 to Utah Hockey Club and head coach Scott Arniel lit them up afterward, calling it an embarrassing performance. This came after a 3-1 loss to Calgary on Saturday.

Ultimately, Winnipeg’s offense is struggling and the Avalanche, who have also been inconsistent as of late, have a big opportunity to take advantage of that.

READ MORE: Bednar Visibly Frustrated With Avalanche’s Offensive No-Show (+)

Season Series

  • Nov. 7 at Winnipeg Jets (L, 1-0)
  • Dec. 31 vs Winnipeg Jets (W, 5-2)
  • Jan. 11 at Winnipeg Jets (L, 3-0)
  • Jan. 22 vs Winnipeg Jets

Avalanche Injuries

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

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

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

Devon Toews โ€” Cale Makar
Samuel Girard โ€” Josh Manson
Keaton Middleton โ€” Sam Malinski

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

  • Confirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
  • Expected: Connor Hellebuyck (WPG)

Upcoming Milestones

  • 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 7 assists for 400
  • Mackenzie Blackwood โ€” needs 10 wins for 100

How to Watch

  • TV: Altitude TV
  • Radio: 92.5 FM

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