The Utah Hockey Club will make its Ball Arena debut tonight in Denver, CO in a contest against the Colorado Avalanche. This first meeting between the new clubs in Denver will be the second game in a season series that the Avalanche currently lead 1-0 after a decisive 5-1 win in October. Today’s game will not give Avs fans their first look at newly acquired goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, but rather another look at Scott Wedgewood. Will Utah end Colorado’s run or will the Avalanche assert dominance?

Colorado avalanche

In case you didn’t know, the Avalanche have a brand new goaltender, and his arrival completes a goaltending room I’ve dubbed “The Woodshed.” When the Avalanche had solid scoring opportunities, they won more often than not. The Avalanche have a record of 11-1 in games in which they allow two or fewer goals. Additionally, they have a 17-2 record in games in which they have allowed four or fewer goals, proving that the Avalanche can claw their way to wins and need a few key saves to stay in each game . Maybe they can deliver a consistent game The woodshed and progress within the division.

Planned lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton — Casey Mittelstadt — Valery Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor
Givani Smith — Ivan Ivan — Chris Wagner

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton — Calvin de Haan

Utah Hockey Club

The team with no name has arrived in Denver, but the writing appears to be on the wall. They will likely soon be referred to as the Utah Yeti. Combine this gross reality with your previous ArizonaNessand it should fan the flames of a possible divisional rivalry. Utah still has a long way to go to establish itself as a serious opponent. Still, they have a very talented roster and there was animosity between the Coyotes and Avalanche prior to the move. Geography often creates rivalries, and Denver and Salt Lake are only 519 miles apart. I boldly predict that there will be an outdoor game between these clubs within the next three seasons.

Planned lineup:

Clayton Keller — Barrett Hayton — Nick Schmaltz
Jack McBain — Logan Cooley — Dylan Gunther
Matias Maccelli — Nick Bjugstad — Lawson Crouse
Alex Kerfoot — Kevin Stenlund — Michael Carcone

Mikhail Sergachev — Olli Maatta
Ian Cole — Michael Kesselring
Juuso Valimaki — Robert Bortuzzo

goalkeeper

Tonight will likely be Scott Wedgewood versus Karel Vejmelka, with Vejmelka being Utah’s unconfirmed starter.