Avalanche Game 40 at Carolina Hurricanes: Necas Returns to Raleigh, Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7) commence a three-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes (24-13-3) in the second of two meetings between the clubs, donning their vintage Nordiques and Whalers jerseys. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: Avalanche Place Mackenzie Blackwood on IR

Key Stories to Watch

• The Avalanche announced on Friday that goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is being placed on injured reserve and will miss Colorado’s entire three-game road trip. Scott Wedgewood will likely get the nod in Carolina with Trent Miner serving as the backup.
• Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Brent Burns are all making their return to Carolina since joining the Avs. Necas is the biggest story of them all, as he was the key piece that the Hurricanes dealt to acquire Mikko Rantanen last January.
• The Avs have won nine straight games, and have just nine losses since the season began, only two of them in regulation. One of those losses came against the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout at Ball Arena. The Canes can become the first team to defeat Colorado twice.
• Carolina has lost two consecutive games in regulation. Rod Brind’Amour’s club is expecting to get Shayne Gostisbehere back in the lineup after missing three games. They are still without Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin.
• Brandon Bussi is expected to get the nod for Carolina, although it is not confirmed. He is 13-2-1 on the season after giving up six goals to the Habs on Thursday for just his second regulation loss.

Season Series

• Oct. 23 vs Carolina Hurricanes (L, 5-4 SO)
• Jan. 3 at Carolina Hurricanes

Avalanche Injuries

• Logan O’Connor (undisclosed, TBD)
• Joel Kiviranta (lower body, day to day)
• Gavin Brindley (upper body, day to day)
• Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body, IR)

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Projected Avalanche Lines (Subject to Change)

Gabriel Landeskog — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Artturi Lehkonen — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Taylor Makar — Parker Kelly — Zakhar Bardakov

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Trent Miner

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Projected Starters (Subject to Change)

• Expected: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
• Unconfirmed: Brandon Bussi (CAR)

Upcoming Milestones

• Samuel Girard — needs 3 assists for 200
• Parker Kelly — needs 4 games for 300
• Devon Toews — needs 9 points for 300

How to Watch

• TV: Altitude TV
• Radio: 92.5 FM