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The Colorado Avalanche will look to halt a four-game skid (1-3-0) when they welcome the New Jersey Devils to Ball Arena on Tuesday. The Devils are playing the second half of a back-to-back set, having defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Monday night. However, the Avalanche know from recent experience that a tired opponent can still be dangerous, as they learned against the Nashville Predators.
In an effort to spark the offense, Colorado's coaching staff has shuffled the forward lines. Nic Roy returns to the lineup, allowing Nazem Kadri to move back to his natural center position on the third line. Roy will slot in on the right wing of the second line alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Brock Nelson. The changes also push Parker Kelly to his usual left-wing spot and Fedor Svechkov to the fourth-line center role.
These adjustments create new linemates: Kelly and Logan O'Connor will play opposite wings on the same line for the first time this season, while Svechkov will center the fourth line after previously playing as the third-line center with Roy as the fourth-line center. The Avalanche hope the new combinations can generate more offense and snap out of their recent funk.
Despite the team's struggles, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has been a bright spot. In his last four starts, he has posted a 3-1-0 record with strong performances, including a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers where he kept the team in the game. Blackwood will get the start again, confirmed by the team.
The Devils will counter with Jake Allen, who was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens earlier this season. Allen made 31 saves in a win over the Avalanche just over a week ago and will look to replicate that success. Notably, the Avalanche will not face Connor Hellebuyck, who started for the Devils last night against the Stars and made 16 saves on 17 shots. Hellebuyck is not expected to dress as the backup, meaning Remi Poirier would be called upon if Allen falters.
Key Analysis
The Avalanche's line shakeup is a clear attempt to jumpstart an offense that has struggled during their 1-3-0 stretch. Moving Kadri back to center and inserting Roy into the top six could provide a spark, while the new-look fourth line brings energy and defensive responsibility. Blackwood's steady play in net has been crucial, and he'll need to continue that form against a Devils team that suffocated the Stars defensively on Monday. The absence of Hellebuyck in the backup role is a minor break for Colorado, but Allen has already proven capable of stealing a game against them. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT.
Projected Avalanche Lines (Subject to Change)
- Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
- Gabriel Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nicolas Roy
- Jaden Schwartz – Nazem Kadri – T.J. Hughes
- Parker Kelly – Fedor Svechkov – Logan O'Connor
Projected Defense Pairings
- Devon Toews – Cale Makar
- Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
- Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Projected Starters (Confirmed)
- Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
- Jake Allen (NJD)