Ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Nashville Predators, the Colorado Avalanche are getting a much-needed boost on two fronts: forward Ross Colton and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood are both set to return to the lineup.
Let’s start with Colton. He was listed as day-to-day just yesterday with an upper-body injury and was absent from the morning skate, which raised some eyebrows.
Head coach Jared Bednar had labeled him a game-time decision, and the fact that no one was called up from the Colorado Eagles suggested the team was holding out hope he’d be good to go. That gamble appears to have paid off.
With the Avs already dealing with a string of injuries up front, Colton’s return couldn’t come at a better time.
Colorado has been piecing together its forward group lately, leaning on call-ups like Ivan Ivan and Zahkar Bardakov to fill in for Joel Kiviranta and Gabriel Landeskog, both of whom remain out week-to-week. That’s a lot of lineup juggling, and Colton’s presence adds some much-needed stability and experience back into the middle six.
But perhaps the bigger storyline tonight is between the pipes. Mackenzie Blackwood has been activated from injured reserve and will get the start-his first since New Year’s Eve against the St.
Louis Blues. In that game, he stopped 12 of 13 shots and helped lead the Avs to a commanding 6-1 win.
With his return, Colorado regains its full goaltending tandem, affectionately known as the “Lumberyard,” and that’s a significant development as the team gears up for a tough stretch heading into the Olympic break.
That said, credit where it’s due: Trent Miner stepped in admirably during Blackwood’s absence. The young netminder didn’t just hold his own-he earned his first career win and shutout against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 10 and followed that up with a strong showing in an overtime loss to the Maple Leafs on January 12.
In both games, Miner made key saves that either preserved leads or kept the Avalanche within striking distance. His play gave the team confidence, and it should give fans some peace of mind knowing there’s depth in the crease if injuries strike again.
With 10 games left before the Olympic break-six at home and four on the road-Colorado is entering a crucial stretch. Getting healthy now, especially in net and at forward, could be the difference between holding strong in the standings or slipping in a tight Western Conference race.
Blackwood’s return stabilizes the back end. Colton’s return adds grit and scoring touch up front. And the Avalanche, despite the bumps and bruises, are starting to look more like themselves again.