GAME PREVIEW: Colorado Avalanche look to get back on the field at Homemm against St. Louis Blues

After what was nothing less than a disappointing East Coast turn for AVS, they return to a short two-match home, starting against St. Louis Blues tonight. This will be the first matchup between the two division rivals this season, an exciting late point in the NHL season for the two clubs to introduce themselves to each other.

Blues have had a hard time for this season. While the gap from the top half to the lower half of the league is closer deeper into the season than most, blues still find 25. Out of 32. In the NHL.

Colorado Avalanche

After a disappointing road trip that began with the earthquake trade with Mikko Rantan, AVS turns home looking to find some consistency in their game.

AVS has begun to lose ground in the Central Division race and find themselves three games left by both Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild, entering Friday’s action. With only five matches left, until the four nations break, it will be important for Avalanche to enter the two-week dismissal on a strong note, and it starts with a victory in the home 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

Blues have had a very bumpy trip this season. After a undergoing start under the head coach Drew Bannister, blues Bannists fired, immediately named recently fired Boston Bruins Head coach Jim Montgomery as a replacement.

Despite the coaching change, blues have struggled to move up the NHL position and sit in 25. In the NHL with a 23-24-4 record. While it is not an absolute bottom feeder in reality, blues have done little to nothing to drive up the position, but still remain at a marked distance from a wild card.

Recently, blues have moved in the wrong direction. Coming into tonight’s competition, blues are looking to shake off an abysmal homestand that saw them go winless in three games while being outscored 11-4 across these three games.

In addition, they play their first competition without previous AVS tip Brandon Saad. Saad, who signed a five-year contract of $ 22.5 million with St. Louis in the summer of 2021, had a solid first three years of blues, but has fought this season, resulting in both teams and players seeking mutual contractual termination.

However, there have been some positive things this season. After picking both defender Philip Broberg and Forward Dylan Holloway via an offer sheet from Edmonton Oilers during the high season, the two have thrive in elevated roles on a subordinate club. Holloway has in particular found another level in his game that ranks 2. On the team in goal (16), assists (22) and points (38). Only Jordan Kyrou has several points (42).

Blues are not the thorns in AVS’s side that they were a few years ago, but still boast of enough talent to be a viable opponent evening in and evening. There are no evenings in the NHL, so AVS should expect a tough fight 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 Neighbors (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)

Goals

It should be each team’s number one net memories: Mackenzie Blackwood Versus Jordan Binnington.