The Colorado Avalanche have secured just three road victories in their last ten opportunities. They have a real chance at getting right on the road tonight against a struggling Chicago Blackhawks squad. The last time these two played, Colorado had one of their worst outings. They will have to ride the momentum of their victory over the Dallas Stars and impose their will on the Bedard and the Blackhawks.
Colorado Avalanche
It’s hard to look at Colorado’s season and feel too discouraged, but it does feel like this team still has a few questions to answer. Are they deep enough to withstand a deep cup run? Are they strong enough up the middle to be without a true 2C? Is Alexandar Georgiev the goalie who can take the Avalanche to the promised land?
We won’t get answers until it’s too late, but we will understand how the Avalanche are feeling when the trade deadline comes and goes next Friday. How they operate and who they do or don’t add will paint a clear picture of how management views this team. Tonight’s contest and the next few will offer the last remaining data to draw from while making those decisions.
Keep an eye on Nathan MacKinnon, who’s been on a tear all year and is chasing Nikita Kucherov in the Art Ross race. He can go off against anyone but tends to do very well against young and inexperienced players, so tonight’s matchup should bode well for him.
Projected Lineup:
Arturri Lehkonen (62) — Nathan MacKinnon (29) — Mikko Rantanen (96)
Miles Wood (28) — Ross Colton (20) — Logan O’Connor (25)
Jonathan Drouin (27) — Ryan Johansen (12) — Zach Parise (9)
Andrew Cogliano (11) — Chris Wagner (14) — Kurtis MacDermid (56)
Devon Toews (7) — Cale Makar (8)
Sam Girard (49) — Josh Manson (42)
Jack Johnson (3) — Bowen Byram (4)
Alexandar Georgiev
Justus Annunen
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks beat the Avalanche the last time they faced, but I’m willing to wager that it doesn’t happen again tonight. The Hawks are amidst an actual rebuild around what still appears to be a generational talent in Connor Bedard. They should take a few more years to start competing for a playoff spot.
Projected Lineup:
Anthony Beauvillier (91) — Connor Bedard (98) — Philipp Kurashev (23)
Colin Blackwell (43) — Jason Dickinson (16) — Joey Anderson (15)
Nick Foligno (17) — Tyler Johnson (90) — Taylor Raddysh (11)
Ryan Donato (8) — MacKenzie Entwistle (58) — Reese Johnson (52)
Alex Vlasic (72) — Seth Jones (4)
Kevin Korchinski (55) — Jayson Megna (24)
Jarred Tinordi (25) — Louis Crevier (46)
Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom