Avalanche Game 58 at Nashville Predators: We’re Back! Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (33-22-2) begin a road back-to-back coming out of the 4 Nations Faceoff against the Nashville Predators (19-28-7). Puck drop is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: Avs Look To Continue Pre-Break Intensity, Momentum on the Road

The Avs are finally back after two weeks off hoping to continue their strong stretch from before the break. Colorado is 4-1-0 in its last five games, which includes two shutout wins (and a shutout loss) and just eight goals against during that stretch. With Mackenzie Blackwood in goal, the Avs won each of their last two games — both on the road in a back-to-back — against Calgary and Edmonton.

It will be interesting to see how they do after such a lengthy time away. On one hand, the players who didn’t participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off probably benefitted from the rest. But on the other hand, there’s no question that it will likely take some time to ramp up back to where things were in early February.

But that isn’t the case for four of the skaters.

Artturi Lehkonen finally skated Friday after rejoining the team following Team Finland’s elimination on Monday. He played in all three games, albeit he struggled to get a lot of ice time and was benched in a big OT win against Team Sweden a week ago.

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are all suiting up less than 48 hours after celebrating a championship with Team Canada. The trio flew straight to Nashville to meet the team there. MacKinnon, who was named MVP of the tournament, had four goals in as many games.

The expectation is that all three of them should be able to continue to ride the momentum of best-on-best hockey.

Given the lack of a morning skate, there was no announcement for who the Avs are starting in goal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scott Wedgewood get the nod in the first leg of the back-to-back. Wedgewood spent a short time with the Preds before the Avs traded for him in November. It would also allow Blackwood to play against Jordan Binnington and the Blues on Sunday. We’ll see what Bednar decides in a few hours.

READ MORE: MacKinnon, Toews, Makar Win 4-Nations Face-Off With Team Canada

Still the most disappointing team of the season, the Preds have become a team to watch heading into the trade deadline for all the wrong reasons. Despite stealing the show on July 1, they’re headed for a lottery seed rather than a playoff spot.

Nashville is 4-6-0 in its last 10 games.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Juuse Saros started in goal, fresh off a relief appearance against Team Canada five days ago. Albeit backup goalie Justus Annunen might want a chance to beat the Avs. He’s 7-3-0 with a .904 save percentage since getting traded to Nashville.

READ MORE: ‘Nothing New To Report’: Bednar Provides Insight on Landeskog Recovery