The Colorado Avalanche will take on the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at Ball Arena. Both the Avalanche and Red Wings have an eye on the playoffs. However, the two clubs are headed in different directions.
The Avalanche are third in the Central Division, five points behind the Dallas Stars for second place and four points up on the fourth-place Minnesota Wild.
The Avs will be looking to continue rolling and secure their playoff berth. With an 8-1-1 mark in their last 10, the Avalanche finally look like the team that garnered so much attention heading into this season.
Colorado has a newfound confidence since the trade deadline, stringing a series of big wins to position themselves firmly in the top three Central Division teams.
As for the Red Wings, they continue their rebuilding process. The Wings haven’t made the playoffs since 2016 but had expectations to make it this year. After a poor start, a coaching change turned their fortunes around.
Since going on a hot streak in December and January, the Wings have faded this season. They remain three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but look to be running out of time. Unless the Red Wings can turn around their 2-8-0 mark from their last 10 games, the playoffs are all but a foregone conclusion this season.
Tuesday night’s clash lacks the power of Avalanche-Wings matchups of the past. But it should still be an entertaining tilt between two teams looking to punch their playoff tickets.
Colorado Avalanche blue liners Manson and Girard out for game against Red Wings
Josh Manson will be out on Tuesday night with Samuel Girard likely missing his third straight game.
Manson has been out since early February with a lower-body injury. He’s listed as week-to-week but doesn’t seem close to returning to game action. If things go well, he could be ready at some point in the first round of the playoffs.
As for Samuel Girard, he’s unlikely to play on Tuesday night after missing the Avs’ two previous games with an undisclosed ailment. Girard reportedly has a lower-body ailment but the precise nature of his injury has yet to be confirmed.
As such, the veteran pair of Keaton Middleton and Erik Johnson will suit up again for Colorado on Tuesday night. The pair has looked serviceable for the Avalanche. Middleton adds plenty of punch to the lineup with Erik Johnson providing veteran leadership to the squad.
There is no sense of urgency for Manson and Girard to return at this point in the season. So, the team can afford to have both blue liners rest and recover as the season winds down and the playoffs begin.
In the meantime, the Avs’ top four looks solid, particularly with Sam Malinski stepping up nicely into the second pairing alongside Ryan Lindgren. Hopefully, Middleton and Johnson’s playing time down the stretch will also serve them as preparation for key postseason roles.