The Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens are set to clash tonight at 7:00 PM ET at Ball Arena, with the Avalanche seeking their seventh consecutive victory and the Canadiens hoping to rebound from their recent losses.
Coming off of their most thrilling game this season, the Avalanche are riding high after erasing a late 5-3 deficit against the Buffalo Sabres, winning 6-5 in overtime. This impressive comeback has solidified their current six-game winning streak, led by star players Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who are key offensive forces for the team.
The Avalanche’s top scorers are headlined by Mikko Rantanen, who has 22 goals and 34 assists this season, followed closely by MacKinnon with 14 goals and 50 assists. Artturi Lehkonen has also been impactful, contributing 14 goals and six assists. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood is set to carry the load with a record of 12 wins against 10 losses, boasting a .914 save percentage.
On the other side of the ice, the Montreal Canadiens are eager for redemption after suffering defeat to the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. With only 17 wins compared to Denver's 24, the Canadiens are currently fighting to gain momentum. Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens with 20 goals and 15 assists, and Nicholas Suzuki adds his own contributions with 11 goals and 26 assists.
Ice hockey is often unpredictable, particularly at the home of the Avalanche, who haven’t had it easy against Montreal historically. After breaking their 10-year streak without a win at Ball Arena last season, the Canadiens aim to show their mettle and hope to emulate this past success. They managed to sweep the season series against the Avalanche last year, which is likely fresh on their minds as they approach this encounter.
Head coach Jared Bednar has expressed confidence in his team's ability to maintain focus, stating, "I’m glad we're bearing down on the little details," showing his confidence heading this contest. Jonathan Drouin is another player to watch. Not only is he facing off against his former team, but he recently had a strong performance, scoring the game-tying goal against the Sabres. His contribution could be pivotal as he looks to reach his 100th career goal.
Despite their challenging road record of just seven wins from 19 games, the Canadiens recently demonstrated they’re capable of competing at high levels, with back-to-back victories over tough opponents. With the potential to upset the Avalanche tonight, Montreal must find ways to score on Blackwood, who many presume will be tested heavily throughout the match.
Fans can catch the action on ESPN+, or through streaming platforms like Fubo. Given their current winning streak, the Avalanche appear primed to continue their success, but the Canadiens are eager to spoil the party. The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying game.
The matchup tonight is pivotal for both teams. Should Colorado secure the win, they will reach 25 victories before the halfway mark, signaling their strong campaign after recovering from the initial losses of the season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens, motivated by the chance to challenge the powerful Avalanche team, will aim to write their own success story.