Open Thread: Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5:00 p.m.)

It’s a Colorado Avalanche game day!

Alright, the Colorado Avalanche have (almost) everyone back and seem to have turned the page on their early-season struggles. With a victory tonight over the Lightning (and a Dallas loss), Colorado will be tied for third place in the division and extend their winning streak to four games. Tampa is coming in on a cold streak, losing their last two games. They did get the best of the Avalanche in October. Can Colorado even the season series, or will Big Kat and Kucherov steal their thunder?

Colorado Avalanche

Things have been looking better in Colorado, partly due to the return of Val Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin, and Miles Wood. Jonathan Drouin, in particular, has been one of the Avalanche’s best players so far this season when healthy, and he doesn’t seem to have skipped a beat after his early season injury. I’m feeling a breakout night for Nathan MacKinnon, and I’d wager that many of his opportunities are afforded by poised possession plays from Drouin.

Val Nichushkin got back on the board, albeit via empty-netter; that’s just what some guys need to get them out of their heads and back into the action. I’m sure I’m still waiting on Val’s greasy net-front goal, but it will happen soon.

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Jonathan Drouin
Valeri Nichushkin — Casey Mittelstadt — Mikko Rantanen
Joel Kiviranta — Ivan Ivan — Logan O’Connor
Miles Wood — Parker Kelly — Nikolai Kovalenko

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Oliver Kylington — Sam Malinski

Tampa Bay Lightning

As I mentioned in the October preview, Tampa is in an interesting position this season, considering the bet big on Jake Guentzel rather than Stamkos. The plan is starting to sour on some fans, but it’s too early to judge the move. Stammer has 11 points in 21 contests, and Guentzel has 18 points in 19 games, so if you are going simply off of individual production, Tampa management did well.

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov haven’t gone anywhere, so I think this team is still a tough out. Kuch beat MacK in the first installment (head-to-head), and although MacKinnon won’t ever say it out loud, that probably doesn’t sit well with him.

Projected Lineup:

Jake Guentzel — Brayden Point — Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel — Anthony Cirelli — Darren Raddysh
Gage Goncalves — Conor Geekie — Mitchell Chaffee
Zemgus Girgensons — Luke Glendening — Michael Eyssimont

Victor Hedman — J.J. Moser
Ryan McDonagh — Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg — Nick Perbix

Goaltenders

We haven’t confirmed a Tampa starter yet, but I think it’s safe to assume Vasilevskiy will get the nod. In turn, the Avalanche will go with Justus Annunen to give Alexandar Georgiev some rest.