Game Preview: Avalanche Gearing Up for First Game in Series with the Blues

It’s been a week since the first – and likely biggest – trade of the NHL season. Now, the Colorado Avalanche are back home with their two newest additions as they gear up for their first of four matchups with the St. Louis Blues.

In three games with their new team, both Martin Necas and Jack Drury have been standouts in their own right. Drury has netted two goals in his new role as the third-line center and Necas has collected four assists.

Despite contributions from the new guys, the Avalanche went 1-2-0 on the road trip, their latest loss coming from the New York Islanders 5-2. They look to get back into the win column tonight against a struggling Blues team, who are also looking for a win after a 5-2 loss against the Vancouver Canucks.

Mackenzie Blackwood occupies the crease for the Avalanche. On the other side, Joel Hofer looks to be the starter for the Blues.

A Milestone Point-Getter

Nathan MacKinnon has a few different milestones he could potentially hit tonight. With just two points, he could be the first player to 80 points this season. But, with one goal and one assist, he could hit the 20 goals, 60 assists, 80 points benchmark. This would be the third season straight he’ll hit that milestone.

Joe Sakic and Peter Stastny (six straight) are the only two players in franchise history to hit the benchmark at least three seasons straight, and that was with the Quebec Nordiques.

Does It Feel Like Playoffs to You?

It does to Head Coach Jared Bednar. At least, that’s how he’ll be looking at this stretch of games leading up to the break for the Four Nations Faceoff tournament.

In addition to this game, the Avalanche will face Vancouver and the Calgary Flames in the next five games, the last two of which are battling for the playoffs just as much as the Avalanche. In Bednar’s eyes, this next stretch before the break is crucial to their battle for the playoffs. Then, they can take a much-needed break before they get back to work.