The Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens are set to clash tonight, January 4, 2025, at the Pepsi Center, with the Avalanche aiming for their seventh straight victory.
Coming off of thrilling success, the Avalanche recently edged out the Buffalo Sabres with a 6-5 overtime win, showcasing remarkable resilience after being down 3-0 and later 5-3. They have been experiencing remarkable form lately, winning six of their last eight games, and they’re eager to build on this momentum.
Jared Bednar, the Avalanche head coach, is highly optimistic about his team’s chances against the Canadiens, stating, "Every team is going to have ups and downs... they’ve won five of their last six." His words reflect the confidence he has instilled within his squad as they prepare for the challenge tonight.
The Avalanche will be leaning heavily on players like Nathan MacKinnon, who is coming off his first "Star of the Month" honors for December, and Cale Makar, who contributed significantly with two points during their last outing. Mackenzie Blackwood, recently thrust to the forefront due to Scott Wedgewood’s lower-body injury, is set to be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens, having just suffered a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, are searching for redemption after their victorious streak was abruptly halted. Coach Martin St. Louis and his team sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 17-18-3. They are eager to position themselves for a comeback.
Despite their loss to the Blackhawks, the Canadiens have shown remarkable fighting spirit recently, winning five out of their last seven games. Their ability to surprise teams is not lost on Avalanche’s players. Cale Makar remarked, "It's weird. Teams come here on back-to-back and they play well."
Although they falter under challenging circumstances, like back-to-back games, they are not to be underestimated.
Patrik Laine’s expected absence due to illness adds another layer of challenge for the Canadiens, who already face some injury concerns with players like David Savard. Jonathan Drouin spoke on his return from injury and reflected on the emotional weight of facing his former team, “I’m not back there yet, very close, but I’m not back there. I felt really good the game I got hurt against Florida.”
Lineup changes are expected on both sides, and as such, the projected lines may shift as game time approaches. For the Avalanche, they are set to feature their top line of Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen, which has proven to be remarkably effective. The Canadiens’ forwards, including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, will be tasked with leading the charge against the formidable Avalanche defense.
Betting odds reflect the current state of both teams, with Colorado being significant favorites—sitting at -330 on FanDuel and -325 on DraftKings, indicating strong support for the Avalanche's chances against the Canadiens, who check in at +260 as underdogs.
For tonight, as the Avalanche look to leverage their recent success, the Canadiens will strive to prove their mettle and halt their recent setbacks. Fans can anticipate not just a thrilling matchup but perhaps also pivotal shifts for both teams as they progress through the season.
With both teams motivated, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting night of hockey.