The Colorado Avalanche will hit the ice on Tuesday night at Ball Arena for Game 2 of their second-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
If Game 1 was any indication, the series is going to be a true, pound-for-pound heavyweight tilt. However, it’s unlikely we’ll get another 9-6 shootout moving forward.
Still, the expectation is that the Avalanche’s offense won’t be drying up any time soon. That expectation seems reasonable as the Avalanche will be pretty much rolling with the same forward lines as Game 1 last Sunday night:
- Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas
- Landeskog-Nelson-Nichushkin
- Colton-Kadri-Roy
- Kelly-Drury-O’Connor
The lines should be subject to change throughout the game. There’s no question the Wild will be looking to make adjustments. So, Jared Bednar could end up shifting his lines throughout the game. Perhaps we might see Kadri in the top six in a wing spot.
Also, Ross Colton could be an X-factor to keep an eye on. He’s been kind of quiet. That’s why it might just be a matter of time before he has a breakout game.
Here’s a look at the blue line:
- Toews-Makar
- Kulak-Malinski
- Burns-Blankenburg
Josh Manson continues to be on the shelf. In his place, Nick Blankenburg has been a demon on the ice. When Manson comes back, it will be tough to move Blankenburg out.
Speaking of injuries, Avalanche fans turned blue in the face as they held their collective breath on Cale Makar’s potential injury. Makar returned after taking an awkward hit in the first period of Game 1 and proceeded to score two goals.
According to Bednar, Makar is fine and will be good to go for Game 2. That’s major news, considering that the Hughes-Makar matchup has not disappointed.
Cale Makar will be good to go for Game 2, Jared Bednar said.
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) May 4, 2026
Considering that the Avalanche and Wild won’t play again until next Saturday, the rest will help Makar get over whatever lingering ailments there may be. We saw him putting the Icy Hot patch down his back on the bench in Game 1. So, you have to think that a couple of extra days off in between games should do well for Makar.
Of course, the layoff should also help Minnesota, as they have some wounded warriors. Defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek should miss Game 2. But the Wild are hoping those two key pieces will be back for the remainder of the series. But that’s something that remains to be seen.
Lastly, the Avalanche should turn to Scott Wedgewood for Game 2. It’s unlikely that Bednar will go to Blackwood. It seems that Game 1 was a blip on the radar screen for the veteran netminder.
However, a second straight iffy game could open the door for Blackwood. Again, with the long layoff in between games, Wedgewood should get the call as the extra rest should help him bounce back for Game 3.
Puck drop is set for 6 pm MST at Ball Arena. Colorado leads the series 1-0 and will be looking to take a 2-0 lead.
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