The Colorado Avalanche return home after a three-game road trip to the West Coast for a quick game before the holiday break. It takes on a new-look Seattle Kraken team.

The Avs won two of three games on the road and were looking to improve their home record. At just 8-8 on home ice tonight, there’s a good chance of getting over .500 before the four-day Christmas break.

Colorado avalanche

As mentioned, Colorado took two of three road games, with their last two wins coming in back-to-back games. Colorado took care of things on Thursday and Friday nights against both the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, with both games ending in a 4-2 final.

While there were some new faces on the trip, including Tye Felhaber and Jere Innala, only one of those two is expected to be in the squad tonight due to the holiday roster freeze. That would be Innala, who is still holding his own in the fourth row.

There was also hope that Josh Manson would return during the road trip, but he didn’t show up. It looks like he won’t be playing tonight either, as he skated in a red non-contact jersey during his morning skate. So can the same lineup prevail for a third game in a row?

Planned lineup

Artturi Lehkonen (62) – Nathan MacKinnon (29) – Valeri Nichushkin (13)
Ross Colton (20) – Casey Mittelstadt (37) – Mikko Rantanen (96)
Joel Kiviranta (94) – Parker Kelly (17) – Logan O’Connor (25)
Givani Smith (55) – Ivan Ivan (82) – Jere Innala (22)

Devon Toews (7) – Cale Makar (8)
Sam Girard (49) – Sam Malinski (70)
Keaton Middleton (67) – Calvin de Haan (44)

Seattle Kraken

Seattle comes to Denver alone after playing the Vegas Golden Knights last night. The Kraken would emerge on the wrong end of the score with a 6-2 drubbing.

The new face in the lineup is Kaapo Kakko, who was traded from the New York Rangers for Will Borgen and a few draft picks. Kakko immediately slots into Seattle’s top six and adds another goal threat as the forward looks for a fresh start.

This is his third game with the “S” on the front of the sweater. Can he get his first point against the Avalanche and help his team overcome a three-game deficit?

Projected lines

Jared McCann (19) – Matty Beniers (10) – Kaapo Kakko (84)
Eeli Tolvanen (20) – Chandler Stephenson (9) – Oliver Björkstrand (22)
Jaden Schwartz (17) – Shane Wright (51) – Andre Burakovsky (95)
Daniel Sprong (91) – Yanni Gourde (37) – Brandon Tanev (13)

Vince Dunn (29) – Adam Larsson (6)
Jamie Oleksiak (24) – Brandon Montour (62)
Ryker Evans (41) – Josh Mahura (28)

goalkeeper

Mackenzie Blackwood earns a commitment to the Avalanche in what will be only his second home appearance. After Philipp Grubauer played in Las Vegas last night, one can assume that Joey Daccord will play for the guests this evening.