The Colorado Avalanche (37-9-9) open the post-Olympic stretch run on the road against the Utah Mammoth (30-23-4). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT.
Key Stories to Watch
Colorado entered the break 3-4-1 in its last eight games. Gabe Landeskog missed all of those games, and both Martin Necas and Devon Toews missed chunks of them. All three are healthy, and Landeskog and Necas are confirmed to be in the lineup. Toews’ status is yet to be determined.
Toews, along with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Brock Nelson, all played in the gold medal game on Sunday. Head coach Jared Bednar would not share which, if any, of them are going to sit out in Utah to get extra rest. The Avs have 13 forwards and six defensemen available, so they can sit one forward without needing to call anyone up.
Brett Kulak makes his debut for the Avs. Colorado acquired Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Samuel Girard and a draft pick on Tuesday.
Scott Wedgewood did not play much heading into the break, starting just one of Colorado’s last seven games. It appears he’ll play in Utah, which likely sets up Mackenzie Blackwood against the Minnesota Wild at Ball Arena on Thursday. Wedgewood gave up seven goals on 28 shots against the Montreal Canadiens in his last appearance.
The Avs are 2-0-1 against the Mammoth this season, having lost in overtime in the only meeting at Delta Center.
Season Series
Oct. 9 vs Utah Mammoth (W, 2-1)
Oct. 21 at Utah Mammoth (L, 4-3 OT)
Dec. 23 vs Utah Mammoth (W, 1-0)
Feb. 25 at Utah Mammoth
Avalanche Injuries
Logan O’Connor (undisclosed, TBD)
Projected Avalanche Lines (Subject to Change)
*PLEASE NOTE: This is what the Avs’ lineup would likely look like if everyone from the gold medal game dressed in Utah. It is likely that one of them does not play.
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Gavin Brindley
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood
Projected Starters (Subject to Change)
Expected: Scott Wedgewood (COL)
Expected: Karel Vejmelka (UTA)
Upcoming Milestones
Gabriel Landeskog — needs 7 points for 600
Martin Necas — needs 7 games for 500
Devon Toews — needs 9 points for 300
How to Watch
TV: Altitude TV
Radio: 950 AM