Saturday night Game preview: Colorado Avalanche to ice jumbled lineup against Nashville Predators

The Colorado Avalanche will be back in action against the Nashville Predators on Saturday at the Bridgestone Arena. The Avs are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last Wednesday night.

The loss extended the Avs’ losing skid after a five-game winning streak. However, injuries have ravaged the Avalanche, leaving the club with a jumbled lineup given the number of forwards on the shelf.

So, let’s start by discussing the latest on the Colorado Avalanche’s injury situation.

Colorado Avalanche injury report

Miles Wood

Wood is still day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He is not expected to suit up against Nashville. Optimistically, Wood might be back for the Avs’ matchup versus the Winnipeg Jets next Thursday.

Jonathan Drouin

Drouin is officially day-to-day, but not nearing a return any time soon. There could be an outside chance that Drouin returns to the lineup at some point in mid-November, but that’s still up in the air.

Artturi Lehkonen

For some good news at last, Artturi Lehkonen has been cleared to play. Reports indicate that Lehkonen could be back on Tuesday night when the Avs face the Seattle Kraken. Lehkonen has not played this season due to a shoulder injury.

Valeri Nichushkin

While technically not an injury, Nichushkin is eligible to return in a couple of weeks. He’s been skating and could potentially ramp up preparation for a return. It’s unclear when Nichushkin could hit the ice in full, but there’s a possibility of him returning this month, or perhaps into early December.

Lineup for Saturday night against the Kraken

The Avs would most likely ice a lineup similar to the one seen in the last game versus the Bolts. The biggest change would most likely be in the crease. Justus Annunen should be back in net. However, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Alexandar Georgiev back in the crease.

The Avalanche are carrying three goaltenders at the moment. But as coach Jared Bednar stated, that situation won’t last for long. While we can assume that Annunen is safe for now, the real question lies with Georgiev and the recently signed Kaapo Kahkonen.

Kahkonen debuted against the Bolts last time out. While he wasn’t awful, he didn’t impress. So, the Avalanche must ultimately decide between keeping one of Kahkonen or Georgiev. As such, Georgiev may get one last audition before the Avs make a call.

The Avs won’t be able to keep three goalies on the roster for much longer due to cap constraints. So, expect a decision coming within the next week or so.