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The Avalanche have something big in store for the Canadiens, something they've only done once this season
Photo credit: Michael Martin/NHLI
A big moment tonight as the Montreal Canadiens head into Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche, but with a twist: Colorado will don the old Québec Nordiques jerseys to mark 30 years since the franchise moved to Denver. That flash of history adds some extra spice to a matchup already loaded with storylines and playoff-race implications.
The Avalanche fell 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild in a Friday afternoon shootout.
Backed by a rock-solid performance in his last outing, rookie goalie Jakub Dobes gets the nod between the pipes for Montreal. Dobes stopped 22 of 23 shots in regulation and both shootout attempts the only time he faced Colorado last season, shutting the door with a .957 save percentage. The Canadiens will need that kind of goaltending again today.
Retro jerseys set the stage as the Canadiens gear up to face the Avalanche, honoring the old Quebec Nordiques rivalry.
Karine Hains from The Hockey News writes that on the Colorado side the firepower is real. The Avalanche lead-line stars Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Artturi Lehkonen are racking up points, while defenseman Cale Makar continues to lead all NHL defensemen in scoring. That makes the Avalanche a formidable threat at every turn.
Montreal's offence will need to step up. Sniper Cole Caufield is riding a nice point streak and could spoil Colorado's retro night with a timely goal. Meanwhile, youngster Zachary Bolduc has been finding the back of the net recently and may inject some youthful energy into the lineup.
It feels like a playoff-type atmosphere even if it's just November, with the Nordiques throwback jerseys adding emotional weight to the game. If Dobes gives Montreal a chance and the forwards find traction early, the Canadiens might come out of Denver with more than just an extra point. If not, Colorado could crush the moment with their full arsenal.
This game really matters for Montreal's push toward a Wild Card spot and for Colorado's Central Division ambitions. Either way, tonight's match-up won't feel routine.
Previously on Colorado Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 15 ANSWERS The Avalanche have something big in store for the Canadiens, something they've only done once this season Will Jakub Dobes give the Canadiens a chance tonight against the red-hot Avalanche? | ||
| Yes | 2 | 13.3 % |
| No | 13 | 86.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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