Colorado Avalanche Look to Prolong Win Streak Towards the Chicago Blackhawks

Denver, CO – Because the Ball Area workers like to say, these division rivalries “simply imply extra.” This could not be extra true because the Colorado Avalanche have lastly discovered themselves within the high half of the standings after dropping 4 straight video games to begin the season. After a hard-fought win last night against the Ottawa Senators, the Avalanche shall be trying to enhance their file to 6-4-0 towards the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.

A Temporary Look Again At Final Evening

Justus Annunen began in aim for the Avalanche, making it his fourth-straight beginning look. In these begins, he is made a case for himself, vying for the aggressive beginning spot that, in keeping with Head Coach Jared Bednar, remains to be up for grabs.

The goaltending matchup on the opposite aspect of the ice was Anton Forsberg, who began over 2023 Vezina Trophy Winner Linus Ullmark. We did see appearances from each goaltenders after an tools concern on Forsberg’s half turned a bit extra sophisticated than anticipated. What turned a quick carousel between the goaltenders within the crease finally ended with Anton Forsberg ending the sport.

Rookie ahead Nikolai Kovalenko netted the primary aim of his NHL profession to get the Avalanche began. In a sample of “firsts,” defenseman Josh Manson and ahead Logan O’Connor additionally scored their first objectives of the season.

Ross Colton, or Ross “Goalton” as he is been appropriately nicknamed, scored his eighth aim of the season within the third interval of final evening’s contest. Eight objectives in eight video games is a profession begin for the 28-year-old ahead. He is at present on tempo to beat his profession excessive of twenty-two objectives with the Tampa Bay Lightning within the 2021-22 marketing campaign.

All of Ottawa’s objectives got here through the third interval, which overshadowed two nice durations of hockey from the Avalanche. Captian Brady Tkachuk bought the scoring began for the Senators a bit after the 9-minute mark, receiving a financial institution go behind the aim from defenseman Tyler Kleven. Ahead Nick Cousins evened the rating two minutes later, giving his crew life in a recreation that wasn’t trying to be of their favor through the first two durations. Veteran ahead Claude Giroux netted two one-timers, however because of the objectives from O’Connor, Colton, and ultimately Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche managed to grind out with a win.

Nathan MacKinnon’s empty-net aim, in addition to the help on Kovalenko’s aim, marks a nine-game season-opening level streak for the ahead. Cale Makar finds himself holding the identical streak after incomes an help on Colton’s aim.

Streaks and Information to Maintain an Eye On

Talking of level streaks, the 2021-22 Norris Trophy winner has a possibility to make it into the franchise file e book but once more. If Makar can handle to earn some extent tonight, he’ll break the Avalanche/Nordiques franchise file for the longest season-opening level streak by a defenseman. This file is at present held by John-Michael Liles from the 2010-11 season, per the NHL Records website.

As well as, if MacKinnon can even come out of tonight’s contest with some extent, this can mark the second consecutive marketing campaign incomes a season-opening level streak of 10 video games.

A Division Matchup to Finish the Again-To-Again

Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach Luke Richardson confirmed immediately that not solely will the lineup look the identical because it did throughout their final recreation towards Dallas, however Czech internet minder Petr Mrazek may also begin in aim. This may mark his fourth consecutive begin.

Whereas the Avalanche shall be in search of their fifth consecutive win, the Blackhawks shall be trying to break their four-game shedding streak. They’ve had a day of relaxation between their final recreation, a 4-2 loss towards the Dallas Stars, and immediately whereas the Avalanche will go into their second recreation on this week’s back-to-back.

The Avalanche have put early rumors to mattress that the crew is reliant solely on their high line to get the job achieved. Because the Avalanche are nonetheless ready to decorate a completely wholesome crew, this has given gamers up and down the lineup their possibilities to shine. This consists of Joel Kiviranta, who regardless of not scoring final recreation, has 4 objectives within the earlier three video games and has been a powerful and essential a part of the current success of the teqam.

Seeing as Justus Annunen performed final evening, it is seemingly that we’ll see Alexander Georgiev get the nod in aim tonight.

Jared Bednar is not going to be obtainable for media questions earlier than the sport, so extra updates on lineups and beginning goaltenders will come after warmups.