Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers (7:00 p.m.)

The Colorado Avalanche are prepared to defend home ice for the last game of this seven-game homestand tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers at Ball Arena in downtown Denver, CO. The homecooking hasn’t been as kind to the league-leading Avalanche as one might have thought, as they are 3-1-2 so far. The Flyers had some newfound spunk early on in the season, but have lost seven of their last eight games. Is this a trap game for Colorado, or another entry into the latest losing streak for Philly?

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche lost their last time out in an effort that I’d describe as lackluster. It’s bound to happen this season, with so much already accomplished and so much more ahead for Colorado. Thank goodness Artturi Lehkonen slapped one past Lukas Dostal. It would have been the achievement of Anahiem’s season to shut out the vaunted Colorado Avalanche.

Nathan MacKinnon was held scoreless for just the tenth time this season, but I’d imagine that means a breakout performance is on its way on this snowy day! He and the entire top line are due for a dominant showing.

Let’s see if we get some more contributions from the blue line tonight as well. Sam Malinski has popped all season long, and it’d be nice to pat that stat line so he’s off the table at the deadline.

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Taylor Makar — Zakhar Bardakov — Gavin Brindley

Sam Malinski — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Jack Ahcan — Samuel Girard

Scott Wedgewood
MacKenzie Blackwood

Philadelphia Flyers

What’s there to say about a team that has lost seven of eight games? That kinda speaks for itself if you ask me. Since it’s my job to look a little deeper, I suppose we shall try. This team isn’t just losing close games and falling victim to puck luck; only one of those seven losses has been by one goal. That, and their lone victory over that stretch were low-scoring games. Not a good trend to struggle to score when your goalie finally doesn’t allow five or more goals.

Some pundits, namely Boomer on NHL Satellite Radio, had Rick Tocchet on their list of potential Jack Adams winners, but I think even he’d say that ship has sailed. For now, they will have to do their best to stay relevant in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.

Projected Lineup:

Trevor Zegras — Christian Dvorak — Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey — Sean Couturier — Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov — Noah Cates — Bobby Brink
Nikita Grebenkin — Lane Pederson — Garnet Hathaway

Travis Sanheim — Cam York
Nick Seeler — Jamie Drysdale
Emil Andrae — Noah Juulsen

Samuel Ersson
Aleksei Kolosov

Follow along in the comments below!