After defeating the second-best team in the NHL, the Avalanche are facing off against the Eastern Conference’s worst team, the Buffalo Sabres, who are on the second part of a back-to-back.
Buffalo has not yet won a road game this season in six tries (0-4-2), and comes to Ball Arena riding a four-game losing streak following a 5-2 loss in Utah on Wednesday. The Avs, on the other hand, have won four straight games and own the best record in the NHL (11-1-5).
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Colorado’s lineup is going to look a little bit different. After having no changes in their top nine, the Avs will be elevating Gavin Brindley to the second line to replace the injured Valeri Nichushkin. The second-line winger left Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return.
Fresh off a two-year contract extension, Brindley, who has become a favorite among the coaching staff and his teammates, is getting his first permanent opportunity on a scoring line. He’ll line up with center Brock Nelson and winger Ross Colton.
The Avs called up Taylor Makar to fill in on the fourth line.
However, Nichushkin’s absence will be tough. Ever since 2021-22, the Avalanche have averaged 121 points per 82 games with Nichushkin in the lineup, but just 88 points per 82 games when he’s out. Other factors have played a part in this at times, but there’s no denying the impact he has.
“Vals an incredible player. He brings it on both sides and plays all situations. Impacts the power play, penalty kill, and five on five,” Nelson said. “It’s not surprising that the team is better with him in, so we’ll miss him if he’s out, hopefully it’s not long. He probably deserves a little bit more credit for how good the player he is and the impact he has.”
Samuel Girard is also returning and will slot in on the third pair with Sam Malinski. Girard has not played since the home opener on Oct. 9 against the Utah Mammoth. He also missed most of training camp and preseason rehabbing from an injury.
“It sucked. I wanted to be out there,” Girard said of his second injury of the season. “I wanted to be playing but the second game, something happened, and I go back to zero.”
Mackenzie Blackwood is getting the nod in goal, making his third start of the season and first at home. Blackwood has been easing back into the lineup since returning from an offseason injury. Blackwood is 1-0-1 in two games, and has served as the backup on five other occasions. Scott Wedgewood is 5-0-0 in those games.
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