The Avalanche have no vacation this weekend as they prepare for their second game in as many nights, this time against the Edmonton Oilers. The Avalanche lost 5-3 to the Dallas Stars last night. Can they bounce back against the Oilers, who also played yesterday? Edmonton defeated the Utah Hockey Club in OT, but can the Avalanche steal two road points tonight?

Colorado avalanche

The Avalanche surprised fans this morning by trading Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick for Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators, formerly the Dallas Stars. This move is a response to Avalanche teams’ abysmal save percentage in 25% of the season. Wedgewood fits the profile of a veteran backup who should provide more consistency and reliability than Annunen has shown in supporting Georgiev, who struggles at times. It would be pretty impressive if Wedgewood played tonight, although logistically it’s possible.

Nathan MacKinnon appears to have shifted more of his focus to shooting the puck during lulls in his 2024-25 season. Funnily enough, he still ranks second in the league among skaters. His new mindset hasn’t yet been reflected in the goalscoring list. Tonight is the night.

Planned lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Valery Nichushkin
Nikolai Kovalenko — Casey Mittelstadt — Mikko Rantanen
Joel Kiviranta — Ivan Ivan — Logan O’Connor
Nikita Prishchepov — Parker Kelly — Chris Wagner

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Oliver Kylington — Sam Malinski

Note: Maybe we’ll see Nikita Prishchepov tonight when the Avalanche bring the young forward back.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers still have McDavid, Draisaitl and company in their forward group, but the concern remains on their blue line. The Avalanche and Oilers seem similar in that they are on a tightrope between deep playoff runs. Success tends to equal turnover in professional sports, and both clubs seem to be quick to take care of their generation’s talents. The Avalanche have won the last three meetings between these clubs and will receive a Stanley Cup for their success. Will it be more of the same tonight?

Planned lineup:

Ryan Nugent Hopkins — Connor McDavid — Kasperi Kapanen
Vasily Podkolzin — Leon Draisaitl — Connor Brown
Jeff Skinner — Adam Henrique — Mattias Janmark
Drake Caggiula — Derek Ryan — Corey Perry

Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse — Troy Stecher
Brett Kulak — Ty Emberson

goalkeeper

I don’t think we’ll get Wedgewood yet tonight, so that leaves Georgiev. As I mentioned, Scott may I have to drive from Minnesota to Edmonton for a quick impromptu start, but I bet the Avalanche want to give him some time to adjust. Stuart Skinner is the Oilers’ unconfirmed goaltender.