Preview: Dancing with the Devils
Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images
The Avs are right back in action with its third game in four days.
The Colorado Avalanche continues its road trip out East with a Sunday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils. It will be the team’s third game in four days on the trip, really testing the limits and travel at hand.
After an off-year last year, the Devils are right on track to be in the playoff picture this season. When these two teams met last season, New Jersey took care of business in a 5-3 win and looking to replicate the same.
Right back at it tonight against the New Jersey Devils! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/3Z5RCPSa1p— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 8, 2024
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs managed to eke out a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings just less than 24 hours ago. It was a big win not only to one-up an old rival but get important points on the board.
Plus, there was encouragement to see Alexandar Georgiev play excellently in the crease. He made handfuls of saves which were brilliant and kept the lead intact, opposite of what we have seen from him in recent appearances.
Since this is the second leg of a back-to-back, Scott Wedgewood will be getting the nod tonight and looking to replicate the same performance. Will the team in front of him find its legs to get another impressive result?
Projected Lines
Artturi Lehkonen (62) - Nathan MacKinnon (29) - Mikko Rantanen (96)Ross Colton (20) - Casey Mittelstadt (37) - Valeri Nichushkin (13)Joel Kiviranta (94) - Ivan Ivan (82) - Logan O’Connor (25)Nikolai Kovalenko (51) - Parker Kelly (17) - Nikita Prishchepov (85)
Devon Toews (7) - Cale Makar (8)Sam Girard (49) - Sam Malinski (70)Calvin de Haan (44) - John Ludvig (3)
NOTE: Don’t be surprised if the Avs cycle some players for this game just to get some fresh bodies in after last night’s game. John Ludvig could enter for Keaton Middleton, and Nikita Prishchepov could enter for Chris Wagner, or one or neither happens. We won’t know until the team comes out for warmups.
New Jersey Devils
New Jersey has been off since its last game on Friday night. That game ended in a 3-2 final in favor of the Devils over the Seattle Kraken, the second straight win after another big one a few nights earlier in Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.
Unlike last season, New Jersey hasn’t spent this season in injury hell. They currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division, just two points behind the leading Washington Capitals.
Their two prominent scorers have been Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt who have been on the second line, but are moving up to the first line tonight. Will they be the ones who contribute to a third straight Devils win?
Projected Lines
Ondrej Palat (18) - Jack Hughes (86) - Jesper Bratt (63)Timo Meier (28) - Nico Hischer (13) - Stefan Noesen (11)Erik Haula (56) - Dawson Mercer (91) - Tomas Tatar (90)Paul Cotter (47) - Justin Dowling (37) - Nathan Legare (16)
Brenden Dillon (5) - Dougie Hamilton (7)Jonas Siegenthaler (71) - Johnathan Kovacevic (8)Luke Hughes (43) - Brett Pesce (22)
Goaltenders
As mentioned earlier, Wedgewood will be in the paint this evening. For the Devils, it will be Jake Allen getting the nod. ...
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