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    Colleen Flynn
    Colleen Flynn
    Mar 13, 2024, 23:27

    Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen hit milestones against the Calgary Flames and extended their current streaks — and look to continue those vs the Vancouver Canucks.

    Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen hit milestones against the Calgary Flames and extended their current streaks — and look to continue those vs the Vancouver Canucks.

    Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports - MacKinnon, Rantanen look to continue streaks against Canucks

    Coming off a fresh 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames Tuesday night, the Colorado Avalanche are right back at it against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday night. 

    Nathan MacKinnon surpassed his career-high points (111), earned last season, with a goal and an assist in Calgary Tuesday night. He continued his scoring streak — now at 13 games — which he has notched 28 points within that span. 

    "It's just who he is, the drive to be the best player he can be. Keep improving his game in little areas whether it's just a fraction in one area that helps him get better or a fraction in another one, he's constantly looking to improve," head coach Jared Bednar said about his elite forward. "His off-ice habits, seeking out the knowledge, any knowledge he can get to help make him better. He does it on the ice, he does it off the ice, he does it in his preparation, and that's why he's continued to improve, he's not slowing down, he's getting better and better every year."

    Mikko Rantanen posted a four-point game thwarting him over 600 career points in 556 games. That milestone was done in the fifth-fewest games among all Avalanche/Nordiques players. 

    The 27-year-old Finland native has had an assist in every of the last 10 games and another against the Canucks would make it the third-longest assist streak in franchise history.

    Valeri Nichushkin recorded a three-point night in his 500th game played. Josh Manson scored his seventh goal of the season with an assist from newly acquired defenseman Sean Walker. Newcomer Casey Mittelstadt found the back of the net for the first time in burgundy and blue. 

    Justus Annunen made 25 saves to earn his sixth win of the season. 

    Vancouver sits atop the Pacific Division with 91 points and Colorado is four points behind and sit third in the Central. The Avalanche have faced and beat the Canucks twice this season — Nov. 22, 5-2 and Feb. 20, 3-1 — at Ball Arena. This is the last matchup the teams will have in the regular season. 

    Projected lineup

    Since the Avs are on a back-to-back there was no morning skate which means the lineup is assumed to be the same as last game except for goaltender change. 

    It is unknown if Artturi Lehkonen has recovered from his illness and is healthy enough to play. 

    Valeri Nichushkin — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
    Brandon Duhaime — Casey Mittelstadt — Jonathan Drouin
    Miles Wood — Ross Colton — Yakov Trenin
    Andrew Cogliano — Fredrik Olofsson — Joel Kiviranta

    Devon Toews — Cale Makar
    Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
    Jack Johnson — Sean Walker

    Alexandar Georgiev
    Justus Annunen

    The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. MT at Rogers Arena.  

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