Boston Bruins (2-2-0) @ Colorado Avalanche (0-3-0)
7:30 p.m. MT | Ball Arena | Watch: TNT, TruTV, Max | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)
As the Colorado Avalanche continue their homestand, they face off against the Boston Bruins in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Avalanche are looking to bounce back from a rocky start to the season, having lost all three of their opening games. This will be the third consecutive game for Colorado against an Eastern Conference opponent, following contests against the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets. Fans can look forward to another showdown later in the season when the two teams meet again at TD Garden on January 25.
Latest Results
Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche faced a tough defeat against the New York Islanders, losing 6-2 at Ball Arena. Despite a promising start with Calum Ritchie scoring just 61 seconds into the game for his first career NHL goal, the Islanders quickly took control, scoring four unanswered goals. Colorado managed to respond with a goal from Casey Mittelstadt, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide, as the Islanders sealed the game with two more goals.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins also experienced disappointment in their latest outing, falling 4-3 to the Florida Panthers. Boston initially took the lead with a goal from John Beecher, but the Panthers rallied back with two goals from Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart. Although Brandon Carlo and Mason Lohrei found the net for the Bruins, they ultimately could not overcome Florida’s lead.
Avalanche vs. Islanders Recap
In their last game against the Islanders, the Avalanche showcased some bright spots despite the loss. Ritchie’s early goal was a highlight, but the team struggled to maintain momentum. After falling behind 4-1, Mittelstadt’s goal gave fans a glimmer of hope, but the Islanders quickly extinguished it with two late goals. The Avalanche will need to tighten their defense and find a way to capitalize on their scoring opportunities if they hope to turn their season around.
Avs Accomplishments
Calum Ritchie’s debut goal is a significant milestone, and he is quickly becoming a player to watch, currently ranking third on the team with 10 shots on goal. Additionally, Matthew Stienburg, who was recently recalled from the Colorado Eagles, may make his NHL debut against the Bruins. Stienburg, selected 63rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, has already made an impact in the AHL with two points in two games.
The Avalanche are also keeping an eye on Devon Toews, who missed the last game due to a lower-body injury. His next appearance will mark his 400th career game, where he will look to add to his impressive 235 points accumulated over his first 399 games.
Key Players
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are tied for the team lead in points, each with five. MacKinnon has one goal and four assists, while Makar has contributed five assists. Meanwhile, Mittelstadt and Mikko Rantanen lead the team in goals, each netting three so far this season.
Historical Context
The Avalanche have a favorable history against the Bruins, boasting a 26-14-2 record in their previous 32 meetings. Last season, each team won on home ice, with Colorado taking a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory at Ball Arena and Boston winning 5-2 at TD Garden.
Falling to Florida
The Bruins’ recent loss to the Panthers highlighted some defensive lapses. After taking an early lead, they allowed Florida to score four unanswered goals, which proved too much to overcome. The Bruins will need to focus on maintaining leads and tightening their defense to avoid similar pitfalls in upcoming games.
A Denver Champion Returns
A notable subplot in this matchup is the return of Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery, who previously led the University of Denver to a National Championship in 2017. His connection to the Avalanche runs deep, having coached current Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor during his time at DU. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the game, as Montgomery faces off against a team he once guided to glory.
Stats to Know
- MacKinnon vs. Bruins: In 19 games against Boston, MacKinnon has tallied 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists), including an impressive 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in his last 11 matchups.
- Makar’s Performance: Makar has recorded six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in eight games against the Bruins, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively.
- Bruins’ Leading Scorers: Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic are tied for the Bruins’ lead in points with five each, while David Pastrnak leads the team in goals with three.
Numbers Game
- 30 Shots: The Avalanche have consistently registered at least 30 shots in each of their three games this season, indicating a strong offensive effort despite their struggles.
- Point Per Game Players: Four Avalanche players—MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, and Mittelstadt—are averaging at least a point per game, highlighting the team’s offensive potential.
Quotes That Left a Mark
Jared Bednar praised Ritchie’s performance, stating, “He had a great start to the game. He got rewarded because he was doing the right things.” Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen reflected on the team’s challenges, noting, “We score a goal and we give [up] a goal right after. This has been what [has] happened in the past three games. It’s a lot easier to play with the lead and we haven’t done that at all.”
As the Avalanche look to turn their season around against the Bruins, fans can expect a thrilling matchup filled with intensity and skill.