Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar presented the highs and lows of the team's first 41 games. Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon have earned at least a point in the last eight games and can continue their point streaks against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. The Avalanche's 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night was the first half of a back-to-back. Cale Makar scored his 75th goal in the matchup which tied Tyson Barrie for the most by a defenseman in franchise history. Devon Toews said Makar's latest franchise feat did not surprise him as his elite D-partner will only continue to break records and set new ones. Head coach Jared Bednar said, "I mean it's a matter of time, I think." Ottawa beat the San Jose Sharks on Saturday so they'll be more rested than the Avs coming in on a back-to-back. The teams played on Dec. 21 with Colorado coming out the victor in a high scoring 6-4 win. Energy will be a factor for the Avalanche but the quick turnaround could be an advantage coming off a loss. "After a loss it’s better to play right away. That way you don’t mumble around with the result. We want to watch some video and learn tomorrow morning and go at it again tomorrow night,” Rantanen said. Bednar said his team needs to reset and focus on playing both sides of the puck, something they lacked in the loss to Montreal. Colorado is missing key players and have a shortened bench, causing Bednar to play his top line more than usual. The team will need to have all four lines going at the Canadian Tire Centre in order to earn two points. PROJECTED LINEUP Alexandar Georgiev did not have his best game against the Habs but Bednar would go with another netminder in a back-to-back anyway. Justus Annunen traveled with the team and is expected to back up Ivan Prosvetov, or possibly start. Since the team played last night, there was no morning skate. The projected lineup is with the assumption Miles Wood will return. Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen Miles Wood — Ross Colton — Logan O'Connor Frederik Olofsson — Ryan Johansen — Joel Kiviranta Kurtis MacDermid — Andrew Cogliano — Jason Polin Devon Toews — Cale Makar Samuel Girard — Josh Manson Jack Johnson — Sam Malinski Ivan Prosvetov Justus Annunen The puck drops at 5 p.m. MT in Ottawa. RECENT AVALANCHE ARTICLES Avalanche goalie named third star of the week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avalanche-goalie-named-third-star-of-the-week] Avalanche forward enters NHL Player Assistance program [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avalanche-forward-enters-nhl-player-assistance-program] Colorado Avalanche January schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avalanche-2023-24-schedule-for-january]
