Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche continue their current five-game homestand with a rematch against the New York Rangers. This is the second and final regular-season matchup between these two clubs, with the Rangers taking the first one by a final score of 2-1 on February 5.
Colorado Avalanche (46-21-5)
Colorado comes into this game off of a 2-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday that snapped their previous nine-game win streak. Nathan MacKinnon scored the lone Avalanche goal in that game, extending his home-point streak to 35 games, and extending his current overall point streak to 19 games. The extension of his overall point streak makes him the first player in NHL history to have two point streaks of at least 19 games in one season.
Colorado did hold a practice yesterday, and there were a couple of guys that missed practice. Joel Kiviranta and Samuel Girard were missing due to illness, and Valeri Nichushkin is dealing with a day-to-day lower-body issue. Jean-Luc Foudy was recalled this morning in his place.
Justus Annunen got the start in net on Tuesday against Montreal, and Alexandar Georgiev was absent from morning skate. Colorado did not call up a goalie, so it’s probable that he’s simply sick this morning like Girard and Kiviranta were yesterday. He will go tonight, but hopefully, he’s okay long-term.
Projected Lines
Jonathan Drouin (27) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Casey Mittelstadt (37) – Miles Wood (28)
Brandon Duhaime (12) – Ross Colton (20) – Zach Parise (9)
Andrew Cogliano (11) – Yakov Trenin (73) – Jean-Luc Foudy (93)
Devon Toews (7) – Cale Makar (8)
Samuel Girard (49) – Josh Manson (42)
Jack Johnson (3) – Sean Walker (26)
Alexandar Georgiev (40)
New York Rangers (48-20-4)
The Rangers come into this game currently riding a three-game win streak, with their last game ending as a 6-5 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. As teams are gearing up for the playoffs down the stretch, the Rangers became the first team to clinch a spot in the NHL playoffs. They’ve continued to ramp up their play down the stretch, as they prepare for the playoffs to start similarly to Colorado.
Igor Shesterkin in the net tonight for New York is going to give them a chance to win, every single time. Igor Shesterkin is still who he is, and the play from their goaltenders as a whole has been stellar all year. If that continues into the playoffs, they’re going to be a tough out against anyone.
Projected Lines
Chris Kreider (20) – Mika Zibanejad (93) – Jack Roslovic (96)
Artemi Panarin (10) – Vincent Trocheck (16) – Alexis Lafrenière (13)
Will Cuylle (50) – Jonny Brodzinski (22) – Kaapo Kakko (24)
Jimmy Vesey (26) – Barclay Goodrow (21) – Matt Rempe (73)
K’Andre Miller (79) – Braden Schneider (4)
Zac Jones (6) – Adam Fox (23)
Brandon Scanlin (58) – Chad Ruhwedel (5)
Igor Shesterkin (31) / Jonathan Quick (32)
Broadcast details
Time: 7:00 p.m. MST
Watch: Altitude TV, MSG Network, ESPN+ (Out of Market Only)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM
Opponent’s beat: Blueshirt Banter