Denver, Co. – The Colorado Avalanche are using a three-game win streak at residence. Nonetheless lacking a number of high forwards, they’ve found a rhythm to seek out momentum – and the wins – they want.
The Los Angeles Kings journey to Colorado for his or her first of three matchups this season with the Avalanche. They dropped their final sport on Monday with the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 loss. Ahead Trevor Moore had his third purpose of the season, giving the Kings life throughout their final sport however the remainder of the staff got here up brief ultimately.
Colorado is Stuffed with Stars
NHL Public Relations introduced on Monday that Colorado Avalanche ahead Nathan MacKinnon was named final week’s second star of the week, alongside different stars in Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
MacKinnon presently leads the league in factors (30) and assists (23). Final week alone, he had one purpose and eight assists, totaling 9 factors, in three video games performed.
The Avalanche do not solely have a brilliant star in Nathan MacKinnon. The opposite two assistant captains for the staff, ahead Mikko Rantanen and defenseman Cale Makar, are additionally making a splash within the league’s statistics rankings.
Rantanen is presently among the many purpose leaders within the NHL. Tied for twelfth does not sound like the best stat on paper, nevertheless it could be while you rethink that his 9 objectives this season solely path the highest leaders by three. Sam Reinhart (Florida), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton), and Cole Caufield (Montreal) are all presently tied for first within the league with 12 objectives. The Nousiainen, Finland native has earned 5 of his 9 objectives up to now 4 video games.
Cale Makar can be amongst NHL leaders in league statistics. The 2022 Norris Trophy winner is presently tied for third in factors with 24, together with Florida’s Reinhart and Carolina Hurricanes ahead Martin Necas. He’s tied for fourth with Washington Capital’s ahead Dylan Strome.
A Look Into Tonight’s Matchup
The Avalanche presently maintain a degree proportion of .500%, placing them at seventeenth within the league. The LA Kings are sixth within the league, and first within the Pacific Division.
Alexandar Georgiev is slated to begin for the 4th sport in a row. Colorado Head Coach Jared Bednar has talked about a number of occasions that he is favored Georgiev’s sport recently. Earlier this season, Bednar made it clear that Georgiev was the starter for this staff. Then later, stated that he would play the goalie that can assist win the staff video games.
These quotes from Bednar are talked about in mild of stories that goaltender Kappo Kähkönen was positioned on waivers on Monday, then claimed earlier than he may clear on Tuesday by the Winnipeg Jets. That leaves Georgiev and Justus Annunen because the tandem for this Avalanche staff. Each of those goaltenders have confirmed by 16 video games that they’ll present up for his or her staff and assist to win them video games.
In different information, each Miles Wooden and Jonathan Drouin had been seen at apply at Household Sports activities Middle sporting common apply jerseys. They had been each seen in crimson no-contact sweaters throughout morning skate on Monday, so to see this step ahead from each of them is nice information for the staff. Regardless of this being nice information, they won’t play tonight.
Valeri Nichushkin can be nonetheless skating with the staff. Barring any outdoors circumstances, the Russia native ought to make his season debut with the staff on Friday in opposition to the Washington Capitals.
On the different finish of the ice, former Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper will begin tonight, based on Kings’ head coach Jim Hiller. Kuemper gained the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022. Bednar was requested about Kuemper and his time with Colorado, and gave a quote that was each humorous and heartfelt following this morning’s staff skate:
“I bear in mind we gained the Stanley Cup when he was our goalie, which was superior. That is the primary factor I bear in mind. I’ve stated this earlier than, I’ve obtained a tender spot for all of these guys. We’re linked endlessly in that second and it is nice to see these guys which have come again. He wasn’t right here a very long time however he clearly made a big impact, each single a type of guys did. It is one thing I am going to always remember.”
Kuemper presently holds a 2.65 objectives in opposition to common and a .903 save proportion. He performed in LA’s final sport in opposition to Calgary and can look to get again within the win column right here tonight in opposition to Colorado.