The Avalanche head into Columbus riding a three-game winning streak and looking for something they still haven’t found this season: a clean sweep of a back-to-back set. Colorado is 9-5-1 overall and comes in after picking up its first road win in three weeks on Monday night, with puck drop set for 5:08 p.m. MT.
This one also brings a familiar face back into the picture. Colorado will see Valeri Nichushkin for the first time since he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the offseason. Nichushkin spent seven years with the Avalanche and was a major part of the lineup for much of that stretch, though the relationship also included off-ice issues that complicated things at times.
His start in Columbus has been uneven. Nichushkin has one goal and six points in 12 games, with just 17 shots. He also hasn’t played against the Avalanche since March 2019, and during his time in Dallas he had two assists in 11 games against Colorado.
In net, the Avalanche are expected to turn to Scott Wedgewood after using Mackenzie Blackwood in three straight games. Wedgewood has gone 0-2-1 in his last three starts and carries a 3.48 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage in four games.
The Blue Jackets enter the night last in the Eastern Conference, though they’ve played a league-low 12 games. Offense has been the problem. Columbus has scored just 28 goals this season, and only two players - Kent Johnson and Zach Werenski - have reached double-digit points.
Colorado’s injury list remains the same, with Zachary L’Heureux out week to week with an upper-body injury and Josh Manson sidelined for eight weeks with an ankle injury.
The projected Avalanche lineup has Artturi Lehkonen with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the top line, followed by Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy. Jaden Schwartz is slated to skate with Brock Nelson and T.J. Hughes, while Parker Kelly, Fedor Svechkov and Logan O’Connor make up the fourth line.
On defense, the pairings are expected to be Devon Toews with Cale Makar, Brett Kulak with Noah Juulsen, and Sam Malinski with Brent Burns. Scott Wedgewood is listed as the expected starter, with Jet Greaves unconfirmed for Columbus.
A few milestones are also in play: Nicolas Roy needs four points for 200, Parker Kelly needs five for 100, Sam Malinski needs five games for 200, Scott Wedgewood needs six wins for 100, and Brent Burns needs six games for 1,600.
In Other News...
Avalanche Blue Line Depth Suddenly Looks Even More Important
The Avalanches blue line got a little more complicated this week with the recall of defenseman Keaton Middleton from the AHLs Colorado Eagles ahead of a back-to-back set. Middleton is not expected to jump right into the lineup, but the move gives Colorado another body on a defensive group that is already adjusting to Josh Mansons ankle injury and the ripple effect that comes with it.
Noah Juulsen has already stepped into the regular rotation in Mansons absence, and Middleton now gives the club a possible seventh defenseman if the schedule demands it. With Manson expected to miss about two months, Colorados depth on the back end is suddenly more than a convenience, it is becoming a real part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Unveil New Look That Fans Are Already Split On
The Avalanches new Hometown Remix jerseys are officially out, and the look is already stirring up plenty of conversation. Built around a Rocky Mountains theme, the design leans into blue, white and silver tones, giving Colorado another alternate sweater with a distinct local feel.
The jerseys will make their on-ice debut Nov. 7 at home against the Detroit Red Wings, and the team plans to wear them six times this season. As with most fresh uniform reveals, the reaction has been mixed, with some fans embracing the change and others clearly needing a little more time to come around. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Fans Already Have A New Jersey Debate On Their Hands
The Avalanches new Hometown Remix jerseys are officially out in the wild, and the club has already mapped out six games for the look after unveiling them on Nov. 2. It gives fans something fresh to chew on early in the season, especially with the design tied to a broader league trend of teams leaning into alternate uniforms that nod to local identity.
The first chance to see them on the ice comes against the Blackhawks, who will also be wearing their own hometown remix jerseys in the same matchup. For Colorado fans, that means the debut is set up as more than just a uniform reveal, with two teams rolling out new threads on the same night and an immediate comparison waiting once the puck drops. [Read more 🡒]