The Colorado Avalanche will play in the second leg of a back-to-back against the Anaheim Ducks without Artturi Lehkonen on Tuesday night. Lehkonen left Monday’s game early in the first period and did not return.

Nonetheless, a tough game less than 24 hours ago, and heading right into another one will be rough for Colorado. This game will wrap up the season series, with each team having taken a win apiece in their two games in Denver.

Colorado Avalanche (40–10–9, 89 pts)

The Avalanche claimed their 40th win of the season against the Los Angeles Kings in a 4–2 final. Under new leadership and with new man Artemi Panarin, the Kings kept it close and competitive.

Thus, it was a much more difficult game for Colorado despite controlling most of the play all evening. Lehkonen’s early departure in the first period with an upper-body injury made the game more difficult. Jared Bednar post-game, provided not much of an update who said he will “miss some time.”

Expect a call-up from the Colorado Eagles to fill his spot. They’re already short-staffed with fellow Finn Joel Kiviranta out. Once again, we will rely on big guns like Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog to secure another win.

Projected Lines

Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Ross Colton – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Gavin Brindley – Jack Drury – Victor Olofsson
Parker Kelly – Zakhar Bardakov – Jason Polin

Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Anaheim Ducks (33–23–3, 69 pts)

The Ducks were taken down to the wire against the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. It would take a shootout for Anaheim to beat Calgary 3–2.

It marked the fifth straight win for the Ducks, who have been hot since before the Olympic break. Some big wins in this stretch included beating the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.

Therefore, Anaheim sits solidly in second place in the Pacific Division. Another big win against the tired Avalanche team could help their case even more.

Projected Lines

Chris Kreider – Leo Carlsson – Cutter Gauthier
Jeffrey Viel – Mason McTavish – Beckett Sennecke
Alex Killorn – Ryan Poehling – Jansen Harkins
Ross Johnston – Tim Washe – Ian Moore

Jackson Lacombe – Jacob Trouba
Olen Zellweger – Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov – Drew Helleson

Lukas Dostal
Ville Husso

Game Details

Time: 8:00 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, Victory+, ESPN+ (Out of Market Only)

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM/AM 950