Game Preview: Blackwood Returns, Looks To Extend Personal Streak vs Nashville

Mackenzie Blackwood makes his return to the lineup on Friday as the Avalanche take on the Nashville Predators for the fourth and final time this season.

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Colorado is in the midst of a season-long seven-game homestand, going 2-0-1 in the first three games following a 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto on Monday. Meanwhile, Blackwood is playing his first game since New Year’s Eve. He needed time to recover from a precautionary injury the team didn’t want to let worsen. Their dominant record allows them to take this route.

Blackwood is riding a personal seven-game winning streak and has allowed just 13 goals in that stretch. In his only other start against Nashville, he recorded a 35-save shutout.

The Avalanche are 3-2-1 in their last six games, dating back to when Devon Toews and Gabe Landeskog were injured. They played six games in 10 nights but have since had the last three days off. They will also have the weekend off before their next game this upcoming Monday.

Colorado is 2-0-1 in three games against the Predators this season. The loss was in a shootout on the road. The last meeting between the two was also at Ball Arena. The Avs won that game 4-2.

Nashville was in a far worse position back then than it is now. The Predators are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games and are in the thick of the wildcard race. Leading the way for Andrew Brunette’s club is top line center Ryan O’Reilly.

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The former Avs forward is having one of the most productive years of his career, with 39 points in 46 games. He is playing nearly 20 minutes a night and continues to be one of the more talented two-way centers in the league.

If the Preds fall out of playoff contention, there is a possibility that O’Reilly could be dealt. But with another year remaining on his contract, general manager Barry Trotz is hoping to at least get one playoff run out of O’Reilly and the rest of his aging core. Getting two points against the Avs could help that cause.

Colorado’s OT loss to the Leafs was its first loss at home in 18 games, but it continued a 22-game stretch without a regulation loss in front of Avalanche Faithful. Colorado is 19-0-3 at Ball Arena.