Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. New Jersey Devils (7:30 p.m.)
Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images
It’s a Colorado Avalanche game day! Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the New Jersey Devils and the return of a crucial member of their top six at home in Denver, CO. Will Val Nichushkin’s return reignite the Avalanche, a squad that appears deadset on remaining dormant after the 4 Nations break? Will the equally up-and-down Devils extend Colorado’s losing streak to three games?
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche threw two duds fresh off the 4 Nations Face-Off, but let’s not forget Colorado hasn’t been on home ice since the second day of February, and there is no place like home. The presence of Val Nichushkin is unprecedented in terms of this team’s success over the years, which remains true this season. That said, his returning to the ice tonight has the potential to get things back into gear in the Rocky Mountains.
Val Nuchishkin will return tonight per Jared Bednar on @AltitudeSR#GoAvsGo | @MileHighHockey— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) February 26, 2025
Colorado’s MVP and Team Canada’s MVP, Nathan MacKinnon, is due for a glow-up based on career averages and his current shooting percentage. Jackie Kay made a bold prediction on this week’s edition of the Mile High Hockey Lab, anticipating that MacK will net two or more goals in at least two games before next week’s episode (three games). He’s currently tied with Leon Draisaitl for the NHL’s top point-getter despite his less-than-normal shooting percentage. He will fill it up again.
MVP Nathan MacKinnon sounds a bit familiar. #GoAvsGo | #4Nations pic.twitter.com/jme5Fbj58y— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 21, 2025
Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood both achieved that which shall not be uttered against the Devils the last time they got a start against their former club. Hopefully, we will see more of that this evening, which feels like a must-have for Colorado.
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin NecasJonathan Drouin — Casey Mittelstadt — Valeri NichushkinMiles Wood — Ross Colton — Logan O’ConnorJoel Kiviranta — Jack Drury — Juuso Parssinen
Devon Toews — Cale MakarSamuel Girard — Sam MalinskiCalvin de Haan — Oliver Kylington
Note: This “projected lineup” is more of what I’d like to see now that Nichushkin has returned. How Blendnar will churn out the forward group remains to be seen.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils have had results similar to the Avalanche or at least accumulated wins and losses at a similar clip. Coincidentally, they have followed the win-loss-win-loss pattern for much of the season. If that trend stands pat, they are due for a loss after destroying the Nashville Predators by a score of 5-0 their last time out in a game that secured Nico Daws’ first career shutout.
Projected Lineup:
Ondrej Palat — Jack Hughes — Jesper BrattTomas Tatar — Nico Hischier — Stefan NoesenTimo Meier — Justin Dowling — Dawson MercerPaul Cotter — Erik Haula — Nathan Bastian
Brenden Dillon — Dougie HamiltonBrett Pesce — Johnathan KovacevicLuke Hughes — Seamus Casey
Goaltenders
According to Daily Faceoff, Jake Allen and MacKenzie Blackwood are the unconfirmed starters, so let’s see how that sorts out as we get word from the morning skate. MacKenzie Blackwood has stopped the last 57 shot attempts by the Devils, so I think it’s safe to say he will be in the net for Colorado.
Mackenzie Blackwood has stopped 57 of 57 against the #NJDevils since leaving the organization. Can they finally crack him tonight? https://t.co/2MxZIzT9gg— Infernal Access (@InfernalAccess) February 26, 2025
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