Avalanche Game 75 vs Calgary Flames: Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (45-26-3) close out their four-game homestand against Nazem Kadri and the Calgary Flames (34-26-12). Puck drop is scheduled for 6:38 p.m. MT.

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Following a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, the Avalanche saw their 11-game home winning streak end, along with almost all of what was remaining of their hopes to catch the Dallas Stars for second in the Central Division.

Basically, with eight games remaining, Colorado isn’t playing for much. The team is ultimately on a collision course for a first round playoff series against the Stars with very little possibility of being unseated from third in the division.

Head coach Jared Bednar also said following morning skate that there isn’t much left in terms of experimenting. At this point, it’s about getting the production he wants from the top six and continuing to build on chemistry throughout the lineup.

Against the Flames, the Avs will look to get back in the winning column while trying to play spoiler for another team in the Western Conference wildcard race. Colorado is 2-0-0 against the Flames so far this season, winning both meetings by the same 4-2 score on the road in Calgary.

Erik Johnson returns tonight after missing three games with an injury. He’ll step in for Keaton Middleton on the third pair.

Scott Wedgewood gets the nod in goal. The Avs’ backup goalie has won his last five starts, which includes the most recent victory over Calgary just over two weeks ago. Wedgewood is 10-4-0 since being acquired from Nashville with a sparkling .918 save percentage.

Joel Kiviranta remains out.

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For Calgary. a playoff spot is still within reach, albeit the Blues’ nine-game winning stream has made it a tougher hill to climb. The Flames are seven points back of both St. Louis and Minnesota with three and two games in hand on each team, respectively.

In the end, those games in hand only matter if you win them. Defeating the Avs could help get them back in a place where they’re confident with their chances.

Leading the way for the Flames is Colorado’s old friend. Kadri has been on an offensive tear lately for a team that’s starving for goals. He reached the 30-goal mark two games ago, accomplishing the feat for the third time in his career and first since 2017-18. Kadri’s career-high in goals is 32. He’ll look to inch closer to eclipsing that number against the team he won a Stanley Cup with three years ago.

The Flames are led by rookie netminder Dustin Wolf. The 23-year-old is 23-15-6 this season and was in goal for both regulation losses to Colorado. He’ll get the night off in favor of Dan Vladar. The veteran backup has lost his last four starts against the Avs.

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Season Series

• Feb. 6 at Calgary Flames (W, 4-2)
• March 14 at Calgary Flames (W, 4-2)
• March 31 vs Calgary Flames

Avalanche Injuries

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

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Artturi Lehkonen
Valeri Nichushkin — 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 — Erik Johnson

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
• Confirmed: Dan Vladar (CGY)

Upcoming Milestones

• Brock Nelson — needs 2 goals for 300

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude TV
• Radio: 92.5 FM