Avаlаncһe Fіnіѕһ Off Bаck-to-Bаck wіtһ аn Edmonton Mаtcһup Before tһe Four Nаtіonѕ Breаk

The Colorado Avalanche earned a much-needed win over the Calgary Flames and currently occupy the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Before their two-week break for the Four Nations Face-Off tournament, they're finishing their Canadian road trip, and a back-to-back, with a match against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Edmonton Oilers play host to the Colorado Avalanche, their last matchup of the season and the last for both teams before the two-week break in the schedule for the Four Nations Face-Off tournament.

Tonight, members of Team Canada are set to play against each other before joining forces in the upcoming tournament. Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are all on the roster. McDavid and Makar were named alternate captains. 

When the news broke that Makar was named an assistant captain, Head Coach Jared Bednar was asked about Cale's growth in leadership since entering the league:

"He comes [into the league] as a highly touted guy and has initial, immediate success. But he was quiet. He went about his business and let his play do the talking. Then, over the years as he - and keep in mind, he's been an elite player that whole time - he didn't go out of his way to make sure he was the voice in the room. We've got strong leadership [and] older guys, but his voice has come along over the last few years. Super confident guy, but there's a respectfulness of the way he goes about his business. 

"It's why I think he's a great choice...You've got a guy that's gonna play a lot that is a strong leader that leads by example, that's quiet, but when he needs to say something, he will."

Starting Goaltenders

Per Tony Brar on X, it looks like Stuart Skinner will start in net for the Edmonton Oilers.

Since Colorado is on the second game of a back-to-back, they did not hold morning skate today. Mackenzie Blackwood put up a stellar performance in last night's win over the Calgary Flames. No confirmation on whether Scott Wedgewood is healthy or ready to go tonight, but Trent Miner, called up from the Colorado Eagles for this road trip, has backed up Blackwood on the bench the last couple of games in Wedgewood's absence. Given the severity with which Bednar has viewed these last couple of games, Blackwood seems like the likely option in net for the Avalanche tonight.

Where/How to Find the Game:

Puck Drop: 7:08 pm Mountain Time

Local Broadcast: Altitude Sports, Altitude+, 9NEWS/KTVD

Out-of-Market Broadcast: ESPN+, KUSA

Radio: Altitude SR (AM 950, local), Altitude Sports Radio App