Colorado Opens Home-and-Home against Columbus on Wednesday

The Colorado Avalanche faces off against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets at Ball Arena at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday night.
The Avs are coming off a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Gabriel Landeskog had a hand in on all four of Colorado's goals (two goals, two assists) for his fifth career game with four or more points. Erik Johnson scored his first of the season and first since March 6, 2020, at the Vancouver Canucks after he missed most of last season due to injury.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils in New Jersey on Sunday night. Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo made 36 saves against New Jersey, including stopping all 14 shots in the third period.

Wednesday's game is the start of a home-and-home between these two teams, who will also face off again Saturday night at Nationwide Arena to conclude the two-game season series.

Avalanche vs. Columbus blue jackets

Ball Arena | Denver, Colo.
| Game Time: | 7 p.m. MT | | --- | --- | | TV: | Altitude 2, Bally Sports-Ohio (CBJ) -blackouts apply | | Radio: | Altitude Sports Radio, FM 92.5 (KKSE) | | Live Streams: | AltitudeNow.com, Official app, ESPN+- blackouts apply | | Online Audio: | Listen Live Here | | Follow: | @Avalanche, Official app, Gamecenter | | Buy Tickets | Ball Arena Policies |

COLORADO-COLUMBUS CONNECTIONS

Avs defenseman Ryan Murray was selected second overall by Columbus in the 2012 NHL Draft and spent his first seven seasons with the club… Jack Johnson spent parts of seven seasons in Columbus (2012-2018)… Stefan Matteau played two years with Columbus (2019-2021)… Colorado head coach Jared Bednar was the head coach of Columbus' AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, and guided the team to the 2016 Calder Cup championship. He was also previously the head coach and assistant coach of the Jackets' AHL affiliate in Springfield from 2012-2015… Avs assistant coach Nolan Pratt was an assistant coach for the Monsters during that championship season and was an assistant in Springfield from 2011-2015… Colorado assistant general manager Chris MacFarland spent 16 years in hockey operations for the Blue Jackets, including eight as the assistant general manager… Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen was drafted by Colorado (fourth round, 87th overall) in 1997 and played 66 games for the Avs over four seasons from 1998-2002.

HISTORY

Colorado owns a 40-16-5 record all-time against Columbus, with a 21-9-1 mark as the home team. Wednesday's contest marks the Blue Jackets first visit to Denver in almost two years as the last time they were in the Mile High City was Nov. 9, 2019 (4-2 Avs win).
The two clubs have not met each other since Feb. 8, 2020, when Colorado drew the win with Nazem Kadri and Nathan MacKinnon scoring in the final half of the third period for the Avalanche.

ROSTER REPORT

Jonas Johansson will receive the start in net against the Blue Jackets on Wednesday. J.T. Compher is expected to be on the top line after he practiced on a trio with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon on Tuesday.

INJURY REPORT

Andre Burakovsky is doubtful for Wednesday's game while defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) did not practice on Tuesday and is out for the matchup. Head coach Jared Bednar said on Tuesday that he hopes Makar's out day-to-day. Blueliner Devon Toews has been approved for controlled contact but is not an option for the game against Columbus at home. Mikko Rantanen (lower body) skated on his own before practice in a non-contact jersey and is not available for the contest. Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) and goaltender Pavel Francouz (lower body) have started skating on their own but remain out week-to-week. Stefan Matteau will be out for weeks with a lower-body injury he suffered on Oct. 16.

SCOUTING THE BLUE JACKETS

The Blue Jackets own a 5-3-0 record this season and are wrapping up a three-game road trip in Denver. The squad picked up a 4-3 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils in its last game on Sunday. Three of the Jackets' wins so far this year have come after regulation, picking up two overtime victories and one after a shootout.
Columbus is tied for the eighth-best power play in the league, converting on 25 percent of its man-advantage opportunities.

(OPPOSING) PLAYER TO WATCH: Patrik Laine

The second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft has started this season strong, picking up eight points (three goals, five assists) in eight games. Laine is in his first full campaign with Columbus after the club acquired him from the Winnipeg Jets last year. He scored at least 30 goals in each of his first three seasons.

NUMBERS GAME

6

Nathan MacKinnon is on a six-game point streak, having tallied an assist/point in all six contests he has appeared in so far this season.

4x2

J.T. Compher has produced four goals and four assists through Colorado's first eight games this season.

2

Nazem Kadri has scored goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.

NOTEBOOK

Erik Johnson's goal on Saturday stood as the game winner, his 12th in an Avalanche sweater to move past Sandis Ozolinsh (11) into sole possession of second place in franchise history in game-winning goals by a defenseman… The Avalanche has scored a power-play goal in consecutive contests and in three of its last four outings… Jonas Johannsson has had one previous start this season Oct. 21, where he totaled 34 saves and 3 goals against for a 0.919 save percentage against the Florida Panthers… Wednesday's outing is Colorado's only game in a span of six days from Oct. 31-Nov. 5 and the Avs will only have two games in a span of 11 days from Oct. 31-Nov. 10… The Avs are 40-16-5 all-time against Columbus, the third-best record of any team against the Blue Jackets behind Nashville (65-22-8, .726) and Pittsburgh (28-10-4, .714).