Avalanche Opening Night Lineup Prediction: The Big Reveal Before Rosters Lock on Monday

The preseason has finally come to an end, and NHL teams are bracing themselves for the roster deadline on Monday. The Colorado Avalanche, in particular, have a daunting task ahead of them as they look to finalize their lineup without two key players, Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin. The absence of these two impact players will undoubtedly be felt in the Avalanche’s opening night lineup, and it will be fascinating to see how the team adapts.

Let’s dive into some possible scenarios for the Avalanche’s opening night lineup. It’s essential to note that the lineup might change depending on the team’s performance during the preseason and any potential injuries that might have occurred.

The Avalanche’s top line, comprising Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, is likely to remain intact, assuming there are no last-minute injuries. This trio has been one of the most potent line combinations in the NHL, and their chemistry and skillset will be crucial in driving the Avalanche’s offense.

The second line is where things start to get interesting, especially with Valeri Nichushkin’s absence. It’s likely that Alex Newhook will slot into the second line, alongside Nazem Kadri and Mikael Maltsev. This line combination has shown promise during the preseason, and it will be fascinating to see how they develop as the season progresses.

The third line, meanwhile, could feature a mix of veterans and young players. It’s possible that the Avalanche might pair Alex Galchenyuk with Artturi Lehkonen’s replacement (perhaps a rookie like Sampo Ranta) and Hunter Miska. This line combination has the potential to provide some scoring depth for the Avalanche, which could be crucial in the absence of their top two wingers.

On the defensive front, the Avalanche’s top pair of Cale Makar and Josh Manson is likely to remain unchanged. Makar has been one of the top defensemen in the NHL, and his partnership with Manson has been a key factor in the Avalanche’s success.

The second defensive pair could feature Devon Toews and Bowen Byram. Toews has been a steady presence for the Avalanche, while Byram is a talented young player who is rapidly developing into a top-four defenseman.

The Avalanche’s goaltending situation is also worth monitoring, with Alexandar Georgiev and Pavel Francouz set to battle it out for the starting role. Francouz has been an impressive performer during the preseason, and he could potentially start the season as the Avalanche’s number one goalie.

While the Avalanche’s opening night lineup might look different without Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin, it’s clear that the team has the talent and depth to compete at a high level. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the Avalanche’s trajectory for the season, and it will be fascinating to see how they navigate these challenging times.