Avalanche Game 73 vs Los Angeles Kings: Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (44-25-3) continue their homestand against the Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9). Puck drop is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. MT.

Read More: 10 Observations: It’s Been Two Months Since the Avalanche Have Lost At Ball Arena (+)

After easily defeating the Detroit Red Wings, the Avs are set to take on the first of three tough matchups to complete their four-game homestand. First, it’s the red-hot Kings, who, like the Avs, are one of the best teams in the league since the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

The Avs enter this matchup riding an 11-1-1 run over the past month. The hot streak aligns with the return of Valeri Nichushkin, who is back on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. That trio, along with the top pair of Cale Makar and Devon Toews, dominated the Red Wings and provided all of the offense before Logan O’Connor scored on the empty net.

Nichushkin is one goal away from 20 on the season despite playing just 34 games thus far. And MacKinnon, who had a goal and an assist on Tuesday, continues to lead the NHL in points while pushing for his first Art Ross Trophy. MacKinnon has a six-point lead on both Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl, the latter of whom is injured.

Mackenzie Blackwood is back in goal. He recorded his 20th win with the Avs against Detroit.

On defense, the Avalanche are still without Erik Johnson, who is day-to-day. Joel Kiviranta is also out with a lower-body injury. He will be replaced in the lineup by Miles Wood.

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L.A. is led by starting goalie Darcy Kuemper. He has been having a resurgence for the Kings following two underwhelming seasons with the Washington Capitals. He’s set to appear in the playoffs this year for the first time since winning the Cup with Colorado three years ago. Kuemper, like Blackwood, has one of the better save percentages in the NHL, sporting a .919.

David Rittich is starting for the Kings tonight, though. Kuemper will serve as backup.

The Kings have a weird home and road split. At Crypto.com Arena, they’re an insane 25-3-4 — far and away the best home record in the league. But on the road, L.A. is just 14-18-5. They lost at Ball Arena back on Nov. 13 in their only other trip to Denver.

The Kings are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games and are riding a four-game winning streak.

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Read More: Avs Know Blueprint For a Successful Playoff Run (+)

Season Series

• Nov. 13 vs Los Angeles Kings (W, 4-2)
• March 27 vs Los Angeles Kings
• April 12 at Los Angeles Kings

Avalanche Injuries

• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no timetable)
• Josh Manson (upper-body, TBD)
• Erik Johnson (day-to-day)
• Joel Kiviranta (lower-body, TBD)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Valeri Nichushkin
Artturi Lehkonen — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Miles Wood – Charlie Coyle — Ross Colton
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Ryan Lindgren — Sam Malinski
Samuel Girard — Keaton Middleton

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
• Confirmed: David Rittich (LAK)

Upcoming Milestones

• Logan O’Connor — needs 1 point for 100
• Martin Necas — needs 1 assist for 200
• Brock Nelson — needs 2 goals for 300
• Ryan Lindgren — needs 2 games for 400

How to Watch

• TV: ESPN
• Radio: 92.5 FM