Avalanche Pregame Notes
Avalanche Game 65 vs Chicago Blackhawks: Erik Johnson Is In, Lines, Notes & How To Watch
The Colorado Avalanche (38-24-2) close out their six-game homestand against the Chicago Blackhawks (20-35-9). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT.
READ MORE: The Avalanche’s Center Depth is a Problem — And That’s Bad News for the NHL (+)
The Avalanche are looking for perfection at Ball Arena. Defeating the Blackhawks means they’ll have gone 6-0-0 during the homestand, which began after a bad set of losses on the road coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
What a difference the trip has been as a whole. It started with a lineup that looks much different than the one the Avs will roll with tonight, thanks to a combination of good health and an aggressive week of trades ahead of the deadline.
In their first game with Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle, Jared Bednar’s club dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs. They fell behind 4-2 before climbing back to win in the third period. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Colorado had a 12-2 advantage in scoring chances in the second period after an already-great showing in the first. The ice was tilted towards the Leafs’ end for the majority of the night.
Nelson, Coyle, and fellow newcomer Ryan Lindgren each recorded their first points. The size, grit, and two-way play that the pair of centers put into the lineup make it easier for Bednar to roll all four lines.
Judging by what we saw at morning skate, there are two expected changes up front. Parker Kelly and Logan O’Connor are both coming out of the lineup while Mile Wood and Jimmy Vesey are coming in. Bednar has said several times that he’s going to rotate in as many guys as he can to keep everyone fresh. It’s not at all an indication that he’s unhappy with either of their games.
“There’s no use having the depth if you’re not going to use it,” Bednar said.
Another change is coming on defense. Erik Johnson makes his return after getting reacquired from the Flyers on Friday. Johnson hasn’t dressed for the Avs since Game 7 vs Seattle in 2023. He’ll likely slot in on a pair with his old running mate and good friend Samuel Girard.
Scott Wedgewood gets the nod in goal, which saves Mackenzie Blackwood for tomorrow’s battle at Minnesota.
READ MORE: Erik Johnson Will ‘Bring a Good Balance’ to Avs
The Blackhawks are going to finish as a lottery team again. They didn’t sell off as many pieces as expected at the deadline but made a big trade in the days leading up to it.
In that deal, Seth Jones was shipped to Florida, and goalie Spencer Knight was acquired as part of the package. Knight has been excellent with the Blackhawks, winning his first two games while allowing just four goals on a whopping 81 shots.
Those wins came against a strong L.A. Kings team and Utah Hockey Club, who is still fighting for a playoff spot. Knight is expected to start again and looking to go 3-0-0 with his new team.
The Blackhawks also called up No. 2 draft pick Artyom Levshunov. He enters the lineup, making his NHL debut at 19 years old.
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Season Series
- Oct. 28 vs Chicago Blackhawks (L, 5-2)
- Jan. 8 at Chicago Blackwawks (L, 3-1)
- March 10 vs Chicago Blackhawks
- April 2 at Chicago Blackhawks
Avalanche Injuries
- Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)
Artturi Lehkonen โ Nathan MacKinnon โ Martin Necas
Valeri Nichushkin โ Brock Nelson โ Jonathan Drouin
Joel Kiviranta โ Charlie Coyle โย Ross Colton
Miles Wood โ Jack Drury โ Jimmy Vesey
Devon Toews โ Cale Makar
Ryan Lindgren โ Josh Manson
Samuel Girard โ Erik Johnson
Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood
Projected Starters (subject to change)
- Confirmed: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
- Expected: Spencer Knight (CHI)
Upcoming Milestones
- Mackenzie Blackwood โ needs 1 win for 100
- Nathan MacKinnon โ needs 1 point for 1000
- Logan OโConnor โ needs 3 points for 100
- Martin Necas โ needs 4 assists for 200
- Brock Nelson โ needs 5 goals for 300, 10 assists for 300
- Jonathan Drouin โ needs 5 games for 600
- Erik Johnson โ needs 6 goals for 100
- Jimmy Vesey โ needs 8 points for 200, 8 assists for 100
How to Watch
- TV: Altitude TV
- Radio: 92.5 FM
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Mikko Rantanen Departed Colorado With a Complicated Legacy. Should That Be the Case?
Should’ve kept LOC instead of Wood.
Wood is useless.
Perhaps resting Logan and Kelly? And maybe other Avs, as well, down the road?
I’d rather see Malinski in and sit Girard. Nothing against Sammy G, but Malinski is really developing right before our eyes. Or, maybe Bedsy is resting “D” men on a rotating basis? Wait a minute, I’m not sure that’s Jared’s style.
Given the right/left handed mix, Iโd like to see Malinski with Lindgren. We would get a sense if he could be an option if/when we need to spell the often injured Manson.
Just a general comment. Once you are in the death spiral of drafting 1st, 2nd or 3rd every year – – it’s hard to break. I don’t care how many top players you draft, one guy won’t do it alone. You’ve got to have a GM that can swing deals and sign free agents that make sense. And you have to retain quality players for the long term. I know that CMac has had some swings and misses. I also know a lot of folks were unhappy on how the Rantanen deal went down although honestly, I don’t know how… Read more »
You said it all, Rico.
Good assessment, I agree totallyโฆ And I am glad Sam is still aroundโฆ In my mind he is and has been the 3rd best Defender on this team for some time at a team friendly priceโฆ Go Av,s
Give Toews or Makar the rest. Can’t burn these guys out for an upcoming slugfest in the western conference.
I’d assume the Avs are resting some guys since they play in Minnesota tomorrow night, 23 hours after puck drop tonight.
Sign Nelson now!!
Wish I could be at the game tonight – just to witness the welcome EJ gets when he comes out on the ice – the roof is going to be blown off Ball Arena.
You are right. I was there the first time EJ returned, last season with Buffalo. The ovation brought tears to my eyes–never saw anything like it.
Wonder which of two things we’ll see tonight: 1: Avs play down to Hawk’s level as they have done so often the last few years. or, 2. Last game’s energy carries over and the Avs play great. I’m thinking #2.
So it seems Bednar is really wanting to go with a Lindgren/Manson 2nd pair. Those two together really scares me. I don’t think Lindgren should be playing top 4 mins. And night to night you never know which version of Manson you’re going to get.
But I guess they’ve got close to 20 regular season games to mix & match & see what works.
I wonder if it really matters who is called #2 pair or #3 pair. Bednar can mix and match as he likes and play one guy designated #3 as many minutes as #2. I know the left/right thing but EJ will play fewer minutes tonight than the other #3.