Avalanche Host Flames in Critical Matchup Tonight

DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche will face off against the Calgary Flames tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. This matchup is crucial for both teams as they strive for a playoff berth in the 2024-2025 NHL season.

The Flames, currently battling for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, will field a projected lineup featuring Yegor Sharangovich centering Nazem Kadri and Martin Pospisil. Jonathan Huberdeau, Morgan Frost, and Matt Coronato will form the second line, while Joel Farabee, Mikael Backlund, and Blake Coleman are set for the third. Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Rooney, and Adam Klapka round out the fourth line. On defense, Joel Hanley and MacKenzie Weegar will play alongside Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson, and the final pairing features Jake Bean and Daniil Miromanov. Goaltending duties will fall to Dan Vladar, with Dustin Wolf backing him up.

The Flames have two scratches for tonight’s game: Dryden Hunt and Brayden Pachal. Connor Zary is also sidelined due to a lower-body injury. Despite missing the morning skate, Pospisil and Andersson are expected to play tonight.

On the other end, the Avalanche aim to solidify their position in the standings with a strong lineup starring Artturi Lehkonen alongside star players Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. Valeri Nichushkin, Brock Nelson, and Martin Necas will make up the second line. Jimmy Vesey, Charlie Coyle, and Ross Colton are set for the third line while Parker Kelly, Jack Drury, and Logan O’Connor will serve as the fourth line’s contributors. Defensive pairings include Devon Toews with Cale Makar, Ryan Lindgren with Sam Malinski, and Erik Johnson with Samuel Girard. Scott Wedgewood is slated to start in goal, with Mackenzie Blackwood as his backup.

The Avalanche face significant injury challenges, with key players like Joel Kiviranta, Josh Manson, and Gabriel Landeskog unavailable. Kiviranta is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Manson has been out due to an upper-body ailment. Gabriel Landeskog is sidelined with a knee injury, and Tucker Poolman is unavailable due to a head injury. Erik Johnson is returning after missing two games.

The status of the players is fluid, and last-minute changes could impact the game dynamics. This matchup could be pivotal as both teams attempt to secure points in their quest for postseason play. Stay tuned for updates on player performances and game results.