The Colorado Avalanche (17-14-0) look to bounce back in the third of four meetings at home against their division rival Nashville Predators (8-16-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT.

READ MORE: 10 observations on the Avalanche’s 4-1 loss to Utah Hockey Club (+)

The Avalanche lost 4-1 to the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday in their first home game after a successful five-game road trip. The game felt awkward from the start, and we later learned that an illness was and is still plaguing the Avs’ locker room. As a result, Friday’s practice was switched to optional practice and only Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt (and an injured Josh Manson) ran.

What’s even more exciting is that Mackenzie Blackwood will start at goalkeeper for Colorado, making his debut with the club after bringing several players to Denver last week in a deal that sent Alexandar Georgiev and Nikolai Kovalenko the other way around. Blackwood will face Juuse Saros, while former Avs goaltender Justus Annunen will serve as the backup.

Annunen led the Predators to an impressive 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday, making 35 saves and nearly earning a shutout. The goalkeeper probably wants to join his old squad but will have to wait until February to get his chance.

Given the power play issues the team has faced in recent games, Avs coach Jared Bednar turned heads during the morning skate. Both Ross Colton and Casey Mittelstadt are promoted to the top flight along with Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. As a result, Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen move to the second PP unit.

Season series

• November 2nd at the Nashville Predators (L, 5-2)






• November 11 vs. Nashville Predators (W, 3-2 OT)






• December 14 vs. Nashville Predators






• February 22 at the Nashville Predators

Avalanche injuries

• Josh Manson (upper body, week by week)






• Oliver Kylington (upper body, week by week)






• Miles Wood (upper body, LTIR)






• Jonathan Drouin (upper body, week by week)






• Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no schedule)

Projected avalanche lines (subject to change)

Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton – Casey Mittelstadt – Valeri 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

Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Planned starters (subject to change)

• Confirmed: Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)






• Confirmed: Juuse Saros (NSH)

Upcoming milestones

• Mikko Rantanen – needs 3 PPG for 100






• Nathan MacKinnon – needs 4 PPG for 100






• Cale Makar – needs 5 goals for 100






• Logan O’Connor – needs 6 games for 300






• Chris Wagner – needs 7 games to reach 400






• Devon Toews – needs 7 assists for 200

Here’s how to watch

• TV: Alpine sports






• Radio: 92.5FM