Avalanche Game 70 at Ottawa Senators: Avs Look to Win Latter of Back-to-Back; Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (41-25-3) will look to bounce back against the Ottawa Senators (36-26-5) on Thursday night after a tough loss on Wednesday night  The puck drop is scheduled at the Canadian Tire Centre for 5:08 MT.

The 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs was a game of special teams at Scotiabank Arena. Valeri Nichushkin scored the lone goal for the Avalanche two minutes and 48 seconds into the second period on the power play to tie the game. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar earned the assists.

Read More: Good & Bad: Avalanche’s Solid Performance in Toronto Derailed by Referee Blunder

Auston Matthews tipped a shot over Blackwood’s left shoulder on the man-advantage less than 30 seconds into the middle frame to get on the board first. Steven Lorentz scored the short-handed game-winner at 17:07 of the third period.

The minimal offense was not due to a lack of effort. The Avs had 39 shots on goal with only one finding the back of the net. Mackenzie Blackwood made 24 saves on 26 shots on the other side of the ice. Neither Leafs goal was preventable and Blackwood made some big saves to keep the Avs in the game.

Sam Malinksi registered six shots on goal, equivalent to MacKinnon. Erik Johnson, Martin Necas and Nichushkin all had four while Brock Nelson ripped off three. Joseph Woll shut the door denying big shots from getting past him.

Colorado is looking to regroup, let go of last night’s loss and focus on what it needs to do to beat Ottawa. The Avs are ahead of the Sens in points, 85-77 respectively, but both teams are teetering around a wildcard spot.

The teams haven’t faced each other since the start of the season when the Avs earned a one-goal victory. Expect a physical battle between two high-energy teams who are about equal on the power play but the Avs have a slight advantage on the penalty kill.

Read More: 10 Observations: Avalanche Struggling to Find the Back of the Net on the Road Despite Chances

Season Series

• Oct. 27 vs Ottawa Senators (W, 5-4)
• March 20 at Ottawa Senators

Avalanche Injuries

• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
• Josh Mason (upper-body, TBD)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Valeri Nichushkin — Brock Nelson — Jonathan Drouin
Joel Kiviranta – Charlie Coyle — Ross Colton
Miles Wood — Jack Drury — Jimmy Vesey

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton — Erik Johnson

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Unconfirmed: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
• Unconfirmed: Linus Ullmark (OTT)

Upcoming Milestones

• Logan O’Connor — needs 2 points for 100
• Martin Necas — needs 4 assists for 200
• Brock Nelson — needs 5 goals for 300
• Erik Johnson — needs 6 goals for 100

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude TV
• Radio: 92.5 FM