The Avalanche get a one-game return to Ball Arena on Tuesday night, and they’re bringing some serious offense with them. Colorado, sitting at 3-1-0, hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs, who come in at 2-2-1, with puck drop set for 5:08 p.m. MT on NHL Network.
Colorado’s latest statement came in a 7-3 win over Calgary, its third straight high-scoring victory and the kind of game that keeps piling up the numbers. The Avalanche became the first team in 33 years to score 23 goals through their first four games of a season. This also closes out a run of three straight games against Canadian opponents, and it’s the first time in that stretch they’ll see an Eastern Conference club.
There’s still some lineup uncertainty on Colorado’s side. Jared Bednar scratched defenseman Sam Malinski against the Flames after what the team viewed as a rough night in Winnipeg.
Malinski had played in all 82 regular-season games last year, but Noah Juulsen stepped in for him against Calgary. With no morning skate scheduled, it’s not clear whether Malinski is set to come back in.
Logan O’Connor remains on personal leave as well, after stepping away to be with his family in Calgary following the sudden death of his father, Myles.
Toronto arrives in the middle of a three-game road trip that began in Vegas and finishes in Utah. The Maple Leafs led the Golden Knights 3-0 after the first period before eventually falling 4-3 in a shootout. They’re 2-2-1 to start the season after what the source describes as the largest turnover of any team over the summer.
The Leafs are also expected to add another new face to the lineup, and it’s one Avalanche fans know well. Miles Wood was called up from the Toronto Marlies and should play tonight.
Toronto also announced that John Tavares will miss the game in Colorado after the birth of his son. Wood, who was traded to the Leafs on the eve of the regular season in a deal that also brought Kirill Marchenko to Toronto, has not faced the Avalanche since being dealt away in June 2025.
Colorado’s projected forward group has Artturi Lehkonen with Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri on the top line, followed by Gabriel Landeskog with Brock Nelson and Martin Necas. Jaden Schwartz is listed with Fedor Svechkov and T.J. Hughes, while Zachary L’Heureux joins Nicolas Roy and Parker Kelly on the fourth line.
On defense, the pairings are Devon Toews with Cale Makar, Brett Kulak with Noah Juulsen, and Josh Manson with Brent Burns. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood are listed in goal, with Blackwood projected as the starter for Colorado. Toronto’s expected starter is Sergei Bobrovsky, though both goaltending assignments remain unconfirmed.
There are a few milestones hanging over the night, too. Kadri needs two more power-play goals to reach 200.
Blackwood is six games away from 300. Roy needs seven points to get to 200.
In Other News...
Avalanche Suddenly Have More Riding On Trent Miner Than Expected
The Avalanches handling of Trent Miner this week spoke to how thin the margins can be when a team is juggling goaltending depth. Colorado activated Miner off injured reserve and put him on waivers with the intent of sending him back to the Eagles, a routine enough transaction on paper, but one that happened as teams around the league were watching the crease market closely.
For Colorado, Miner is suddenly carrying more long-term significance than a standard roster shuffle would suggest. He has been part of the organizations goaltending conversation before, and with the Avalanche dealing with current struggles and contract questions in net, his future role is drawing more attention than it might have a month ago. Even a move designed to clear a path for reassignment now feels tied to bigger decisions ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Former Avs Assistant Leaves Colorado With One Big Question For Bednar
Dave Hakstols stint on the Avalanche staff appears to be ending after one season, with the former Colorado assistant expected to take over as the new head coach at Arizona State. His departure comes as ASU continues to navigate a messy and unsettling situation surrounding the program, with head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave while investigations continue into the collapse of player Matthew Mayich during off-season workouts.
For the Avalanche, the timing at least brings a clean break from a coach who had been running the power play, but it also leaves one obvious question for Jared Bednar and his staff: what comes next on that side of the bench? Colorado had allowed Hakstol to explore the ASU opening, and with the Sun Devils searching for stability amid ongoing inquiries by university police and legal actions from Mayichs family, his next step could come quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Lose A Key Coach As Power Play Questions Keep Growing
Dave Hakstols brief stay on the Avalanche bench is ending after one season, with the veteran coach set to move on from Colorados staff. Hakstol, who came to the Avalanche after previously serving as head coach of the Seattle Kraken, brought a rsum built on experience behind the bench and a presence the organization had counted on as it tried to keep its coaching structure stable.
For Colorado, the timing adds another layer to a power play that has already been under scrutiny lately. The club has not announced a replacement, leaving an important piece of the staff picture unsettled as the Avalanche sort through what Hakstols exit means for a unit that needed help before this news broke. [Read more 🡒]