After a 3-0 loss to a conference rival in the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche are facing a back-to-back game situation in Alberta, Canada before the Four Nations break, starting with the Calgary Flames. This is the first of three meetings between these two teams, and with the Avalanche trying to win a wild card race, this is an important game for the Avalanche to take a win from.
The Colorado Avalanche have two games left before most of the team gets a much-needed break due to the Four Nations Face-off tournament. The team is in Alberta getting ready for a back-to-back series, starting with the Calgary Flames, a division rival also currently battling for a wild card spot.
The Avalanche head to Calgary off of a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. After a decent performance in the first period, the team hit a skid and gave up a game, and subsequently, the two-game shutout streak goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was trying to hold onto.
With backup Scott Wedgewood out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Trent Miner was called up from the Colorado Eagles. Both of these goaltenders are on the trip, though no confirmation on if Scott Wedgewood will be good to go tonight. With that said, anticipate Blackwood getting another start in net.
Need At Least a Point
With a shutout comes a lot of guys not showing up. In addition to more than a few pucks finding iron instead of the back of the net, things got a little chirpy during the third period on Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough for the Avalanche to make the comeback they needed.
The top line, especially with the new addition of Martin Necas on Nathan MacKinnon's side, needs to outperform tonight and help set the tone for the rest of the team. Most of those posts hit came from the top line, which surely didn't help ease the frustration on Tuesday. The second line also put up a well-enough performance during the first period. Finding the game early (and not just in the form of a goal) is going to be key to a win for the Avalanche.
Add to that Josh Manson left the game early with a lower-body injury, and there hasn't been any report that he'll be ready to play tonight. The team will have to step up defensively, which has been a struggle recently with a "healthy" D-core.
Where/How to Find the Game:
Puck Drop: 7:08 pm Mountain Time
Local Broadcast: Altitude Sports, Altitude+
Out-of-Market Broadcast: ESPN+, SN1, SNW
Radio: Altitude SR (AM 950, local), Altitude Sports Radio App