The Colorado Avalanche (35-7-9) are heading into a pivotal home-and-home series against the surging Detroit Red Wings (32-17-6), with the first puck drop set for 11:10 a.m. MT at Little Caesars Arena. It’s a matchup that brings together two teams with playoff aspirations-but also some recent turbulence.
Avalanche Looking to Regain Their Footing
Let’s start with Colorado. The Avs have hit a bit of a skid lately, dropping back-to-back games and giving up a combined 12 goals in the process.
That includes their third 7-3 loss in just two weeks-a stat that’s hard to ignore for a team with Stanley Cup ambitions. Defensive breakdowns and inconsistent goaltending have been at the heart of the issue, and they’ll need to tighten things up quickly if they want to avoid extending this slump.
There is some good news on the injury front. Ross Colton returned to the lineup in Montreal, and there’s a chance Devon Toews could rejoin the team today. Toews’ return would be a major boost on the blue line, especially given how much the Avalanche have struggled to keep pucks out of their own net.
Between the pipes, Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to get the start. He’s had a rough go since coming back from injury, posting a 1-3 record in January and allowing 15 goals over four starts. With Scott Wedgewood having played the previous game, this is a big opportunity for Blackwood to steady the ship and show he can be a reliable option down the stretch.
Red Wings on the Rise
Detroit, meanwhile, is very much in the thick of the playoff picture and playing with purpose. Their 32 wins are tied for fourth-most in the NHL, and their .636 points percentage ranks sixth. That’s not just a team on the bubble-that’s a team making real noise.
Still, the Red Wings have cooled off a bit lately, going 1-1-2 in their last four and, like Colorado, dropping their last two games. But the difference?
Detroit’s goaltending has been a strength, not a question mark. John Gibson is confirmed to start today, and he’s been nothing short of stellar this season.
His play is a major reason Detroit has vaulted up the standings and is suddenly looking like a legitimate postseason threat.
Season Series Starts Now
This is the first of two meetings between these teams in a three-day span, with the rematch set for Feb. 2 in Colorado. That kind of quick turnaround adds a playoff-like intensity to the series. Expect both teams to be dialed in, especially with points at a premium in the second half of the season.
Avalanche Lineup Notes
Here’s how the Avs are expected to line up, though things can always shift before puck drop:
Forward Lines:
- Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas
- Victor Olofsson - Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin
- Ross Colton - Jack Drury - Gavin Brindley
- Zakhar Bardakov - Parker Kelly - Joel Kiviranta
Defensive Pairings:
- Sam Malinski - Cale Makar
- Josh Manson - Brent Burns
- Samuel Girard - Keaton Middleton
Goaltenders:
- Mackenzie Blackwood (expected starter)
- Scott Wedgewood
Key Injuries
- Logan O’Connor is still out with an undisclosed injury.
- Devon Toews remains week-to-week with an upper-body issue, though he could be close.
- Gabriel Landeskog continues to rehab an upper-body injury and is still weeks away.
Milestones to Watch
There are a few big career marks on the horizon for Avalanche players:
- Nathan MacKinnon is just 2 assists away from reaching 700.
- Samuel Girard needs 2 assists to hit 200.
- Valeri Nichushkin is 2 games shy of 600.
- Gabriel Landeskog needs 7 more points to reach 600.
- Martin Necas is 7 games from 500.
- Devon Toews is 9 points from 300.
How to Watch
You can catch the game on ABC or tune in on the radio at 92.5 FM.
This matchup is more than just a regular-season tilt-it’s a measuring stick for two teams with postseason hopes. For Colorado, it’s about righting the ship and finding consistency again.
For Detroit, it’s a chance to prove they belong in the contender conversation. Buckle up-this one should be fun.