In the tail end of a two-game road trip, the Avalanche take on the Columbus Blue Jackets with hopes of going five consecutive games out of the gate without suffering a loss in regulation.
Colorado has started the season on fire, albeit there are some things head coach Jared Bednar would like to see improve.
The second line, consisting of Gabe Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, and Brock Nelson, has not yet compiled a point together at five-on-five. The power play has shown promise, but it’s not quite where it should be yet in terms of production.
The biggest offseason move the Avs made in June was a trade that sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus in a deal that brought Gavin Brindley and draft picks back the other way.
All three players will be in the lineup on Thursday. Coyle only spent a short time with the Avalanche, but Wood, who is in the third year of a six-year contract, spent two seasons with the Avs.
Brindley only dressed in one game for Columbus after signing his entry-level contract. The former Michigan Wolverine has been a key piece of the Avs’ fourth line after impressing the coaches enough during training camp to earn a roster spot.
Brindley scored his first NHL goal last weekend, while Wood and Coyle also have goals for the Jackets.
Colorado is riding with Scott Wedgewood in goal again. The 32-year-old makes his fifth consecutive start, boasting a sparkling .936 save percentage through the first four.
Also, Landeskog, who did not partake in Wednesday’s practice (maintenance) will also be in the lineup. The captain is expected to have a lot of scheduled off days throughout the season, and this was an example of that. He was on the ice for Colorado’s optional skate on Thursday morning.
It’ll be the same lineup as the one the Avs have used for the past two games, which means Ilya Solovyov will play his third straight game since an injury took Samuel Girard out of the lineup. .
The Jackets are starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins in goal as they search for their first home win of the year.
