Preview: Val Nichushkin returns tonight against New Jersey

Jared Bednar confirmed it this morning: Colorado’s X-Factor is finally back!

Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the New Jersey Devils and the return of a crucial member of their top six at home in Denver, CO. Will Val Nichushkin’s return reignite the Avalanche, a squad that appears deadset on remaining dormant after the 4 Nations break? Will the equally up-and-down Devils extend Colorado’s losing streak to three games?

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche threw two duds fresh off the 4 Nations Face-Off, but let’s not forget Colorado hasn’t been on home ice since the second day of February, and there is no place like home. The presence of Val Nichushkin is unprecedented in terms of this team’s success over the years, which remains true this season. That said, his returning to the ice tonight has the potential to get things back into gear in the Rocky Mountains.

Colorado’s MVP and Team Canada’s MVP, Nathan MacKinnon, is due for a glow-up based on career averages and his current shooting percentage. Jackie Kay made a bold prediction on this week’s edition of the Mile High Hockey Lab, anticipating that MacK will net two or more goals in at least two games before next week’s episode (three games). He’s currently tied with Leon Draisaitl for the NHL’s top point-getter despite his less-than-normal shooting percentage. He will fill it up again.

Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood both achieved that which shall not be uttered against the Devils the last time they got a start against their former club. Hopefully, we will see more of that this evening, which feels like a must-have for Colorado.

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin — Casey Mittelstadt — Valeri Nichushkin
Miles Wood — Ross Colton — Logan O’Connor
Joel Kiviranta — Jack Drury — Juuso Parssinen

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Calvin de Haan — Oliver Kylington

Note: This “projected lineup” is more of what I’d like to see now that Nichushkin has returned. How Blendnar will churn out the forward group remains to be seen.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have had results similar to the Avalanche or at least accumulated wins and losses at a similar clip. Coincidentally, they have followed the win-loss-win-loss pattern for much of the season. If that trend stands pat, they are due for a loss after destroying the Nashville Predators by a score of 5-0 their last time out in a game that secured Nico Daws’ first career shutout.

Projected Lineup:

Ondrej Palat — Jack Hughes — Jesper Bratt
Tomas Tatar — Nico Hischier — Stefan Noesen
Timo Meier — Justin Dowling — Dawson Mercer
Paul Cotter — Erik Haula — Nathan Bastian

Brenden Dillon — Dougie Hamilton
Brett Pesce — Johnathan Kovacevic
Luke Hughes — Seamus Casey

Goaltenders

According to Daily Faceoff, Jake Allen and MacKenzie Blackwood are the unconfirmed starters, so let’s see how that sorts out as we get word from the morning skate. MacKenzie Blackwood has stopped the last 57 shot attempts by the Devils, so I think it’s safe to say he will be in the net for Colorado.