Preview: Avalanche look to close out strong before layoff against Oilers

The Avs make their lone visit to Edmonton for the final regular season contest against the Oilers.

The Colorado Avalanche did what they needed to do last night. After a disappointing effort in Vancouver that saw the Avs get blanked after two shutout performances of their own, Colorado bounced back in a big way against the Calgary Flames.

On the shoulders of a three-point night from Martin Necas (2G, 1A), the Avs turned aside the Flames by a score of 4-2 and created some separation between themselves and Calgary in the process. Colorado now sits 7 points ahead of the Flames, who sit as the first team on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture and can push it to 9 with a win over the Oilers.

The Avs dropped their first two meetings with the Oilers this season, both in Edmonton. The last time these two teams met, Colorado blew a first-period 3-0 lead, falling 4-3 after fumbling away the lead slowly in the final 48 minutes of regulation. With this standing as the final game before the four nations layoff, the Avs will look to finish this portion of the season strong before recouping for the home stretch.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs put together a solid effort last night, dismantling the Flames on the first portion of the Alberta back-to-back. After a flat first period that saw the Avs in the box far too often, they weathered the storm and stamped their seal on the final 40 minutes of play. A full 60 minutes will be needed to take down the Oilers on the back half of the back-to-back.

Martin Necas continues to shine following the massive trade to Colorado. Coming off of a three-point night that included two goals, he has continued to be a perfect fit alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Last night, he recorded a team-high eight shots on goal and has given the powerplay new life after a brutal stretch before the trade.

MacKinnon has also turned a new leaf since the trade, having won over 58% of his draws over that span. The Oilers are the last team in the NHL you want to cede possession to, so more continued success in the dot is welcome tonight.

Josh Manson will not play again tonight, as he’ll set his sights on returning after the layoff. Scott Wedgewood is questionable to suit up tonight, leaving the goaltending situation on the second half of a back-to-back a bit of a mystery.

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) — Sam Malinski (70)
Calvin De Haan (44) — Oliver Kylington (58)

Mackenzie Blackwood (39)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Trent Miner (50)

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have been on a roll in 2025. With a record of 12-4-1 since the turn of the calendar, Edmonton has been one of the league’s strongest teams this season. Boasting skill, speed, and grit in bunches, the Oilers, currently led by the league’s leading goal scorer in Leon Draisaitl (38), are just below the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets as one of the top teams in the NHL.

While potting the puck at a higher rate than anyone else in the league this season, Draisaitl is also the closest competitor to Nathan MacKinnon in the Art Ross race, currently sitting two points behind the reigning MVP with 81 points. Connor McDavid currently sits fourth in the NHL with 71 points as the Oilers duo enjoys another monster season together.

Edmonton isn’t just thriving on the backs of their superstars, however. Lately, all lines have been able to produce for the Oilers, as over their last 10 games, all four forward lines have contributed at least five goals over that span. Scoring depth has been an issue for the Avs thus far in 2025, and they will likely need to find a goal or two from their bottom six tonight.

Projected Lineup:

Viktor Arvidsson (33) — Connor McDavid (97) — Zach Hyman (18)
Jeff Skinner (53) — Leon Draisaitl (29) — Vasily Podkolzin (92)
Mattias Janmark (13) — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) — Connor Brown (28)
Corey Perry (90) — Adam Henrique (19) — Kasperi Kapanen (42)

Mattias Ekholm (14) — Evan Bouchard (2)
Darnell Nurse (25) — John Klingberg (36)
Brett Kulak (27) — Ty Emberson (49)

Stuart Skinner (74)
Calvin Pickard (30)

Goaltenders

There wasn’t a morning skate so who will be in goal for the Avalanche won’t be known until puck drop. Mackenzie Blackwood played last night, but given the importance of this game and the upcoming layoff, he’ll likely be back in net tonight. If Wedgewood can’t go, it would be hard to see Trent Miner suiting up in a game of this stature.

Stuart Skinner figures to guard the net for the Oilers. Skinner hasn’t been as good this season as he was when he backstopped the Oilers to the doorstep of the Stanley Cup last playoffs. However, Skinner has followed a similar season trajectory. After a dismal start to the season that saw him post an .872 save percentage in October, his game has gradually climbed with each passing month, and he closed January with a .921 SV%. Overall, he boasts a 2.68 GAA and a .902 SV%, with a 20-12-4 record.