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Apr 9, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Matt Coronato (27) attempts a shot as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) defends in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Avalanche are likely still getting into the swing of the day after their SO victory in Edmonton last night. Still, the NHL schedule is relentless, even for game 81, as they will face the Flames tonight in Calgary on the second of a back-to-back.
That means MacKenzie Blackwood in the net, but will we see the Avalanche rest more key fixtures in the lineup, or are they going with the pedal-to-the-metal approach?
The Flames didn’t realize the typical revenge victory last time and have lost to the Avalanche twice in the last 10 days.
Will they face defeat a third time and be swept altogether?
Colorado Avalanche: 53-16-11
The Opponent: Calgary Flames (33-38-9)
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
Brock Nelson’s 1,000th game played out as a bit of a snoozer, that is, until the end.
A 2-1 SO victory is nothing to scoff at when you consider all that was on the line for the Oilers on home ice.
Sam Malinski is still on fire, having scored as many goals in the last 11 games (5) as he did in all of his 2024-25 campaign.
Jack Achan and Nick Blankenburg did just fine against McDavid and the Oilers and should stay in the lineup tonight as well to avoid rushing any of the key and injured guys (like Makar) back before there’s something to play for.
I’m hoping this game marks Martin Necas’ crossing of the 100-point mark, and would love it even more if he also reached 40 goals.
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Gabriel Landeskog
Valeri Nichushkin — Brock Nelson — Martin Necas
Ross Colton — Nicolas Roy — Joel Kiviranta
Parker Kelly — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Sam Malinski
Brett Kulak — Brent Burns
Nick Blankenburg — Jack Ahcan
Note: Still no update on Josh Manson. We did see Cale Makar skating yesterday morning, but he did not play. I’m not even certain Nazem Kadri is on the road trip.
MacKenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Calgary Flames
If the Flames were to topple the Avalanche this season, tonight’s game might be the night.
Colorado should be pretty worn out from the SO victory over Edmonton, and will go without Cale Makar, Nazem Kadri, or Josh Manson yet again.
When your season has been over for quite some time, as is the case in Calgary, it’s about the little things and moral victories/habits you can take into next season. Let’s see what shows up for the Flames.
Projected Lineup:
Joel Farabee — Mikael Backlund — Blake Coleman
Victor Olofsson — Morgan Frost — Matt Coronato
Connor Zary — Ryan Strome — Adam Klapka
Aydar Suniev — Tyson Gross — Yegor Sharangovich
Zayne Parekh — Zach Whitecloud
Olli Maatta — Hunter Brzustewicz
Abram Wiebe — Brayden Pachal
Dustin Wolf
Devin Cooley
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