The Colorado Avalanche are back at it tonight, continuing their seven-game homestand with a matchup against the Nashville Predators. Puck drops at 7:08 p.m.
MT at Ball Arena, where the Avs have been nothing short of dominant this season. While their 17-game home win streak was snapped in overtime against the Maple Leafs, Colorado still hasn’t lost in regulation on home ice - they’re 19-0-3 in Denver.
That’s not just impressive; it’s elite.
Blackwood Returns to the Crease
One of the biggest headlines heading into this one? Mackenzie Blackwood is back between the pipes for the Avalanche after missing six games.
And let’s be clear - this isn’t just a goalie returning from injury. Blackwood has been lights out this season, posting a 13-1-1 record and allowing just 13 goals over his current seven-game win streak.
That’s the kind of form that gives a team serious confidence every time he’s in net.
The Avs held their own while Blackwood was sidelined, going 3-2-1, but they took some hits along the way. Both Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews went down with injuries during that stretch, thinning out a roster that’s already been tested this season. Getting Blackwood back is a huge stabilizing force - especially as they look to stay perfect in regulation at home.
Predators Still in the Hunt
On the other side, Nashville comes in fighting for playoff positioning. The Preds are 6-4-0 over their last 10 and still very much in the mix for one of the Western Conference’s wildcard spots.
Ryan O’Reilly continues to be the heartbeat of this team, leading them with 39 points in 46 games. He’s been a steadying presence for a Nashville squad that’s been up and down but remains dangerous.
Season Series So Far
This is the fourth and final regular-season meeting between these two teams, and Colorado holds the edge so far. The Avs shut out the Predators 3-0 back on Nov. 22 in Nashville, dropped a 4-3 shootout in the rematch on Dec. 9, and bounced back with a 4-2 win at Ball Arena just four days later. So far, they’ve taken five of six possible points in the series.
Injury Report
The Avalanche are still dealing with a handful of injuries. Logan O’Connor is out with an undisclosed issue, while Joel Kiviranta (lower body) and Devon Toews (upper body) are considered week-to-week. Gabriel Landeskog remains sidelined with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss several more weeks.
Projected Avalanche Lineup
Here’s how the lines are expected to shake out tonight - though, as always, things can change:
Forwards:
- Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas
- Ross Colton - Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin
- Parker Kelly - Jack Drury - Victor Olofsson
- Zakhar Bardakov - Ivan Ivan - Gavin Brindley
Defense:
- Sam Malinski - Cale Makar
- Josh Manson - Brent Burns
- Ilya Solovyov - Samuel Girard
Goaltenders:
- Starter: Mackenzie Blackwood (confirmed)
- Backup: Scott Wedgewood
For Nashville, Juuse Saros is the expected starter, though that hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Chasing Milestones
A few Avs are closing in on some notable career marks:
- Samuel Girard is just three assists shy of 200.
- Gabriel Landeskog, despite being out, is seven points away from 600.
- Devon Toews (also injured) needs nine points to hit 300.
- Valeri Nichushkin is eight games away from his 600th NHL appearance.
- Nathan MacKinnon is on the cusp of two major milestones: he needs eight more points to reach 1,100 and ten assists to hit 700.
How to Watch
Catch the game on Altitude TV or listen live on 92.5 FM if you’re tuning in on the go.
With Blackwood back and the Avs still unbeaten in regulation at home, this one has all the ingredients for another high-stakes, high-energy battle. The Predators are scrapping for playoff life, and Colorado’s looking to keep their Ball Arena fortress intact. Buckle up - this should be a good one.