The Colorado Avalanche will be hosting the New York Islanders at Ball Arena on Monday night. Both clubs enter the game winless. The Isles are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. The Avalanche dropped their last game 6-4 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
So, both clubs will be looking to get their first win of the season, making it an interesting matchup. The Avalanche bring a high-powered offensive game to the table while the Islanders play a more low-key defensive style. It remains to be seen if the Avs can get past another tight-checking team.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some key notes prior to the Colorado Avalanche-New York Islanders tilt on Monday night.
Notes ahead of the Colorado Avalanche-New York Islanders Monday night matchup
Patrick Roy’s return to Colorado
Monday night’s game will be the first time Patrick Roy returns to Colorado as head coach of the New York Islanders. Avs fans remember Roy both as a player and coach. Roy played won two Stanley Cups with the Avs, while coaching the team for parts of three seasons, including a Jack Adams award in 2014.
Annunen could get the start
After pulling Alexandar Georgiev twice this season already, the Avs could roll with Justus Annunen as the starter. Annunen has come in relief in both games this season but hasn’t yet been quite as steady as the Avalanche could hope. Still, getting Annunen in goal should give Colorado a different look in the game, potentially getting a more effective performance overall.
Lehkonen still out
Artturi Lehkonen has been practicing with the team but is still out. Avs beat reporter Aarif Deen last stated that Lehkonen has been practicing in a red sweater and is listed as week-to-week. Lehkonen could be evaluated at the end of October with a potential return date as soon as mid-November.
Drouin not expected to play
There is no word on Jonathan Drouin’s upper-body injury, though Drouin is not expected to suit up against the New York Islanders. More information should be available on Monday, but most likely an update could be forthcoming later this week.
No major changes in the lineup
Fans should expect to see pretty much the same lineup on Monday night as the one that suited up against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fans could get a better idea of any potential changes following the Avs’ morning skate.