The Colorado Avalanche will host the visiting Boston Bruins tonight in what awkwardly feels like a must-win for the Avalanche, who haven't won a game three games into the new season. That might feel like an exaggeration, as we've seen some of the best Avalanche teams go on three-game slides. Boston arrives after a 4-3 defeat suffered at the hands of the reigning champion Florida Panthers. Can the Avalanche enter the win column, or will the Bees be too much?
Colorado Avalanche
Not much has changed since my last preview ahead, as the Avalanche lost to Patrick Roy and the New York Islanders on home ice and continued their defensive and net-side struggles. This previous loss felt like the worst, with abysmal performances from guys who should be the squad's most consistent and uplifting players.
#Avs head coach Jared Bednar on @AltitudeSR had this to say about offering perspective to his team:
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) October 16, 2024
“You’re trying to get the result but you’re not focused on the process.”
He was also asked about the health of his club:
“It’s not good.”#GoAvsGo
Cale Makar is noticeably struggling and has openly critiqued his own game. It's tough sledding right now with so many guys on the mend. A list that featured newly unavailables Jonathan Drouin and Devon Toews keeps getting longer and longer, and the product reflects that. Altitude Radio play-by-play, Conor McGahey, has an excellent analogy for what we are currently witnessing in Colorado:
@ConorMcGahey on @SiriusXMNHL regarding the Avs early season struggles:
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) October 16, 2024
“It’s like going to see the Beatles and someone comes out and says — Only Ringo is gonna be on drums.
It will turn around. The last time they went 0-4 was 98-99 and they were a game from going to the…
Projected Lineup
Ross Colton — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Miles Wood — Casey Mittelstadt — Callum Ritchie
Nikolai Kovalenko — Parker Kelly — Logan O'Connor
Ivan Ivan — Matt Steinburg — Joel Kiviranta
Oliver Kylington — Cale Makar
Sam Girard — Josh Manson
John Ludvig — Sam Malinski
Note: Head coach Jared Bednar mentioned that Arturri Lehkonen will be evaluated on 10/28. There is still no word on Jonathan Drouin's return timeline.
Update: Matt Steinburg has been recalled and will likely take the 4th line center role tonight.
Matt Steinburg being recalled ahead of tonight’s game in favor of Chris Wagner. #Avs
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) October 16, 2024
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have secured their franchise netminder, Jeremy Swayman, and he's the highest-paid NHL goalie (until Shesterkin signs) for a reason. He was arguably the Bruins' best player throughout last postseason and will be eager to prove that he's worth every cent of his eight-year, 66-million-dollar contract. Can he shut down a thin Avalanche squad and make matters worse in Denver?
“I couldn’t be more excited to be in this position...a kid from Alaska standing right here in front of you is really happy and beyond pleased to be a Bruin for eight more years.”
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 6, 2024
Swayman, #NHLBruins reach deal on eight-year extension ⤵️ https://t.co/OpwKFexZZG
The Boston skaters still have an experienced, talented, and dangerous lineup. Honestly, this might be the best team they will face in the first four contests. If the Avlance drops another and goes 0-4, we will all sweat as we look at that panic button.
Projected Lineup
Pavel Zacha — Elias Lindholm — David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand — Charlie Coyle — Morgan Geekie
Trent Frederic — Matthew Poitras — Riley Tufte
John Beecher — Mark Kastelic — Cole Koepke
Mason Lohrei — Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm — Brandon Carlo
Nikita Zadorov — Andrew Peeke
Goaltenders
It will be Swayman for the Bruins and Alexandar Georgiev for the Avalanche. Georgie is having a moment, and his head coach seems insistent on riding out the storm. He doesn't have a choice. The Avs are desperate for a confident Georgie and a bailout save here and there against tonight's established dynamo.
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