Preview: Avalanche look to get back on track on home ice against Blues
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
The Avs return home in hopes of finding some positive consistency.
After what was nothing short of a disappointing East Coast swing for the Avs, they return home for a brief two-game homestand, starting off against the St. Louis Blues tonight. This will be the first matchup between the two divisional rivals this season, an intriguingly late point in the NHL season for the two clubs to be introducing themselves to each other.
The Blues have had a rough go of it this season. While the gap from the top half to the bottom half of the league is closer deeper into the season than most, the Blues still find themselves sitting 25th out of 32nd in the NHL.
Facing off against the St. Louis Blues for the first time this season! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/JNPDHYHtvR— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) January 31, 2025
Colorado Avalanche
After a disappointing road trip that began with the earth-shattering trade of Mikko Rantanen, the Avs return home looking to find some consistency in their play.
The Avs have begun to lose ground in the Central Division race, finding themselves three games back of both the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild going into Friday’s action. With only five games left until the Four Nations break, it is going to be important for the Avalanche to enter the two-week layoff on a strong note, and it starts with a home-ice victory against a division rival.
Projected Lineup
Artturi Lehkonen (62) — Nathan MacKinnon (29) — Martin Necas (88)Jonathan Drouin (27) — Casey Mittelstadt (37) — Juuso Parssinen (16)Miles Wood (28) — Jack Drury (18) — Ross Colton (20)Joel Kiviranta (94) — Parker Kelly (17) — Logan O’Connor (25)
Devon Toews (7) — Cale Makar (8)Samuel Girard (49) — Josh Manson (42)Calvin De Haan (44) — Sam Malinski (70)
St. Louis Blues
The Blues have had a very bumpy ride this season. After an underwhelming start under Head Coach Drew Bannister, the Blues fired Bannister, immediately naming recently-fired Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery as the replacement.
Despite the coaching change, the Blues have struggled to move up the NHL standings, sitting in 25th in the NHL with a 23-24-4 record. While not an absolute bottom feeder in actuality, the Blues have done little to nothing to propel themselves up the standings, yet remain in striking distance of a Wild Card spot.
Recently, the Blues have been moving in the wrong direction. Coming into tonight’s contest, the Blues are looking to shake off an abysmal homestand, which saw them go winless in three games while being outscored 11-4 across those three games.
Additionally, they’ll be playing their first contest without former Avs forward Brandon Saad. Saad, who signed a five-year $22.5 million contract with St. Louis in the Summer of 2021 had a solid first three years with the Blues but has struggled this season, resulting in both team and player seeking mutual contract termination.
However, there have been some positives this season. After plucking both defenseman Philip Broberg and Forward Dylan Holloway via an offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilers in the offseason, the two have thrived in elevated roles on an inferior club. Holloway has especially found another level in his game, ranking 2nd on the team in goals (16), assists (22), and points (38). Only Jordan Kyrou has more points (42).
The Blues aren’t the thorn in the Avs's side that they were a couple of years ago but still boast enough talent to be a viable opponent night in and night out. There are no nights off in the NHL, so the Avs should expect a tough battle tonight.
Projected Lineup
Alexandre Texier (9) — Robert Thomas (18) — Pavel Buchnevich (89)Dylan Holloway (81) — Brayden Schenn (10) — Jordan Kyrou (25)Nathan Walker (26) — Zach Bolduc (76) - Jake Neighbours (63)Alexey Toropchenko (13) — Radek Faksa (12) — Mathieu Joseph (71)
Philip Broberg (6) — Colton Parayko (55)Cam Fowler (17) — Justin Faulk (72)Ryan Suter (22) — Tyler Tucker (75)
Goaltenders
It should be each team’s number one netminder: Mackenzie Blackwood versus Jordan Binnington....
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