Could this be a Stanley Cup Final preview? After starting the season with a 4-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Avalanche (1-3-0) have lost three straight by a combined score of 15-7, including a 4-1 loss at the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Center Nathan MacKinnon returned in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday after missing two games in COVID-19 protocol. Having him back, along with forward Gabriel Landeskog, who was suspended for two games, should boost the Colorado offense. Cale Makar, my pick to win the Norris Trophy as best defenseman in the NHL this season, also should get his game going soon.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning (2-2-0) had to gut out overtime wins at the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 14 and at the Capitals on Oct. 16. Though Tampa Bay is without forward Nikita Kucherov, out indefinitely because of a lower-body injury, it's something the Lightning have dealt with before, including all of last season. Center Steven Stamkos leads Tampa Bay with seven points (three goals, four assists). Expect Andrei Vasilevskiy, a perennial Vezina Trophy finalist as the best goalie in the NHL, to have a big game. He seems to always rise to the occasion when needed most.