The last time the Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets met in Ohio, things did not go so well for Columbus. The two teams met on April 3, 2025, with Colorado pounding Columbus in a 7–3 win. Colorado was ramping up for the playoffs, while Columbus was making a push that failed. This time around, the Avalanche could see a team that will have a little more pushback. Columbus has one of the top goalie prospects in Jet Greaves, who helped the reach the AHL Division Semifinals last season. Defenseman Zach Werenski is healthy and could make things tough for the Avs with a struggling power play and second line. The Avs should not just write this one off; this may be a shockingly tough game to win.

Colorado Avalanche (3–1–0)

On Monday, the Avalanche took on the Buffalo Sabres in a matinee battle that led to some fancy stuff. Forward Martin Necas, who will be a UFA this summer, tallied two assists on Nathan MacKinnon goals. Necas now has eight points in four games for the Avalanche and continues his role on the first line. MacKinnon opened the scoring with a slick spinning backhand shot in the slot. The center said he was shocked that he pulled off this shot. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood has been key to Avalanche victories, allowing one goal in three of four games. Meanwhile, the Avs sent the starter Mackenzie Blackwood to Loveland on a conditioning loan, and he could return next week.

Projected Lines

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Victor Olofsson
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Gavin Brindley

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Josh Manson — Brent Burns
Ilya Solovyov — Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Trent Miner

Columbus Blue Jackets (1–2–0)

Columbus lost to the New Jersey Devils 3–2 in a down to the wire battle on Tuesday night in Columbus. The Blue Jacketshas been riding the backs of Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov, who both have four points in three games. Both wingers will provide threats from both sides of the ice, drawing the defense to them rather than the center. Unfortunately, Miles Wood, whom the team got in the Gavin Brindley and Charlie Coyle trade, got injured and will be out. However, Coyle is due to be in the lineup on the third line for the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Columbus is a young, speedy team that could be a threat, so Colorado will have to watch out for them.

Projected Lines

Kent Johnson— Sean Monahan — Kirill Marchenko
Dmitri Voronkov— Adam Fantilli — Cole Sillinger
Boone Jenner — Charlie Coyle — Mathieu Olivier
Yegor Chinakhov— Isac Lundestrom — Zach Aston-Reese

Zach Werenski — Dante Fabbro
Ivan Provorov — Damon Severson
Jake Christiansen — Denton Mateychuk

Elvis Merzlikins
Jet Greaves

Game Details

Time: 5 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude Sports

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM