Avalanche Game 81 at Los Angeles Kings: Final Road Trip, Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (48-28-4) play the first of two road games this weekend to close out the regular season against the Los Angeles Kings (45-24-9). Puck drop is scheduled for 2:08 p.m. MT.

Read More: Landeskog Makes Triumphant Return with Eagles: ‘I’ve Been Thinking About This For a Long Time’

If it felt like the games didn’t matter all that much before this weekend, then you probably shouldn’t take a peek at the Avalanche’s projected roster tonight.

The Avs are all but locked into the third seed and a matchup against the Dallas Stars in the first round. As a result, they’ve pulled everyone from the lineup who’s dealing with any kind of minor injury. The long list of players that did not make the trip includes Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Ross Colton, and Josh Manson.

Colorado called up Jack Ahcan, Jere Innala, and Wyatt Aamodt to replace them in the lineup. In goal, the Avs will likely split goaltending duties tonight and tomorrow in Anaheim.

Read More: Landeskog Addresses Media After Eagles Victory

The guys who didn’t go on the road were in Loveland to catch the Colorado Eagles game. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog suited up for the Eagles, playing his first pro game in 1,020 days. Landeskog played regular minutes in the top six and was on the top power-play unit. He also played a big role on the PK and took several faceoffs. The rust was certainly there, but so was the physicality.

In LA, even with a shorthanded lineup, the Avalanche are looking to get back to their habits. Head coach Jared Bednar was unhappy with his team’s play in their home regular-season finale on Thursday.

Colorado is 2-0-0 against the Kings this season, although both games were played in Denver. The Kings have one of the best home records in the league. This is the Avs’ only visit to Los Angeles this year.

Subscribe to CHN+ using promo code Deen10 for 25% off an annual subscription.

Season Series

• Nov. 14 vs Los Angeles Kings (W, 4-2)
• March 27 vs Los Angeles Kings (W, 4-0)
• April 12 at Los Angeles Kings

Avalanche Injuries

• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, AHL conditioning assignment)
• Josh Manson (upper-body, day-to-day)
• Jonathan Drouin (lower-body, day-to-day)
• Ross Colton (upper-body, day-to-day)
• Nathan MacKinnon (undisclosed)
• Ryan Lindgren (upper-body, day-to-day)

Projected Avalanche Lines (subject to change)

Artturi Lehkonen — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Miles Wood – Charlie Coyle — Valeri Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor
Jimmy Vesey— Jack Drury — Chris Wagner

Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton — Erik Johnson
Jack Ahcan — Wyatt Aamodt

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

* NOTE: These line combinations are a prediction. The starting goalie is unknown until pre-game warm ups.

Projected Starters (subject to change)

• Unconfirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
• Unconfirmed: Darcy Kuemper (LAK)

Upcoming Milestones

• Brock Nelson — needs 1 goal for 300

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude TV
• Radio: 92.5 FM