Colorado Avalanche Face Buffalo Sabres in Key Matchup
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The colorado Avalanche, currently boasting a 23-15-0 record, continue thier home stand at Ball Arena against the struggling Buffalo Sabres (14-20-4) on January 2nd, 2025. This game marks a notable event: the return of Stanley Cup champion Bowen Byram to Denver. Puck drop is set for 7:08 p.m. MT.
The Avalanche enter the game on a five-game winning streak, culminating in a dominant 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. While the Jets were playing on the second night of a back-to-back and had Eric Comrie in net, the Avalanche capitalized on the chance.Casey Mittelstadt’s performance was a highlight, scoring his first goal in 19 games. Though, the team suffered a setback with Valeri Nichushkin’s lower-body injury, expected to sideline him for 7-10 days, according to head coach Jared Bednar.
Nichushkin’s absence shuffles the Avalanche lineup.Mittelstadt is highly likely to rejoin the top six, perhaps alongside Jonathan Drouin and Ross Colton, mirroring the lineup’s conclusion to Tuesday’s game. Artturi Lehkonen remains on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, a trio reunited after a period of separation.
A victory against Buffalo would extend the Avalanche’s winning streak to six games, a feat unseen this season. Two more wins would propel them to 25 wins by the season’s halfway mark—a remarkable achievement considering their early-season struggles.
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood is slated to start, following Mackenzie Blackwood’s three consecutive wins. Wedgewood’s last start was December 20th against the Anaheim Ducks, a 4-2 avalanche victory where he recorded 30 saves. His previous appearance was a memorable Avalanche debut, where he entered in relief against the Sabres and secured a 5-4 comeback win after overcoming a 4-0 deficit.
The Sabres arrive in Denver with a less-than-stellar record, posting a 3-7-0 mark in their last 10 games. Their recent three-game winning streak, a shining spot after a dismal 13-game winless streak, ended with a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on New Year’s Eve. Ukko-Pekka luukkonen is expected to start in goal for Buffalo, having started the last four games and holding a 11-12-3 record in 27 games this season.
This game holds special meaning for Bowen Byram, returning to Ball Arena for the first time since his trade to Buffalo last March. Drafted fourth overall by the Avalanche in 2019, Byram was a key contributor to their 2022 Stanley Cup victory. Despite the Sabres’ struggles, Byram has enjoyed a triumphant season, accumulating four goals and 17 assists in 38 games, playing a career-high 23:32 minutes per game alongside captain Rasmus Dahlin.
Mittelstadt’s clutch Goal Leads Avalanche to Victory Over Sabres
The Colorado Avalanche secured a hard-fought victory over the Buffalo Sabres,with Casey Mittelstadt delivering a dramatic game-winning goal. The win comes amidst a challenging period for the Avalanche, grappling with several key injuries within their roster.
Mittelstadt’s performance was particularly crucial given the absence of Valeri Nichushkin, sidelined with a lower-body injury described as “day-to-day.” “It was a tough game, but we battled hard,” Mittelstadt said after the game. “It feels great to get the win, especially with Nichushkin out.”
Avalanche Face Injury Crisis
The Avalanche’s injury woes extend beyond Nichushkin. Ivan Ivan is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, while Oliver Kylington (upper body) and Miles Wood (upper body) remain on injured reserve (IR) and long-term injured reserve (LTIR), respectively. The long-term absence of Gabriel Landeskog (knee) continues to impact the team’s overall strength.
- Valeri Nichushkin: Lower-body injury, day-to-day
- Ivan Ivan: Upper-body injury, week-to-week
- Oliver Kylington: Upper-body injury, IR
- Miles wood: Upper-body injury, LTIR
- Gabriel Landeskog: Knee injury, no timetable
Projected Lineup and Upcoming Milestones
With the injuries, the Avalanche’s projected lines show significant shifts. The team will rely heavily on players like Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen to carry the offensive load. Several players are also nearing significant career milestones, adding another layer of excitement to the upcoming games.
Projected Lines (subject to change):
Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Rantanen
Drouin – Mittelstadt – Colton
Kiviranta – Kelly – O’Connor
innala – Parssinen – Olausson
Defense: Toews - Makar, Girard – Manson, Middleton – Malinski
Goalies: Wedgewood, Blackwood
- Jonathan Drouin needs 2 goals for 100 career goals.
- Mikko Rantanen needs 2 power-play goals for 100 career power-play goals.
- Cale makar needs 3 goals for 100 career goals.
- Nathan MacKinnon needs 4 power-play goals for 100 career power-play goals.
- Casey Mittelstadt needs 5 games for 400 career games.
- Devon Toews needs 6 assists for 200 career assists.
- Logan O’Connor needs 9 points for 100 career points.
How to Watch the Avalanche
- TV: altitude TV
- Radio: 92.5 FM
The Avalanche’s next game against the Buffalo Sabres promises to be another exciting matchup. Despite the injury challenges, the team’s determination and the emergence of players like Mittelstadt suggest a continued fight for playoff contention.
Avalanche Edge Out Sabres as Mittelstadt Rises too the Occasion
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Buffalo Sabres in a tightly contested game at Ball Arena on January 2nd,2025. The win extends Colorado’s impressive winning streak to six games and pushes them closer to a pivotal 25 wins by the season’s halfway point.
Avalanche Overcome Injuries to Pull Off the Win
Colorado’s victory comes despite dealing with a number of key injuries. Forward Valeri Nichushkin was sidelined with a lower-body injury,further depleting an already thinned-out forward group. Discuss the impact this has had on the team and how players like Mittelstadt have stepped up in his absence.
Interviewer
Mark, thanks for joining us today. The Avalanche are on an impressive winning streak despite facing some adversity with injuries.
Mark Johnson
Absolutely. They’ve been remarkably resilient. Losing a player like Nichushkin, who’s been playing so well, is certainly a blow. But guys like Mittelstadt seem to be stepping up and seizing their opportunity.
Interviewer
it seems like Mittelstadt has been a key contributor throughout this win streak. Talk about his performance and how crucial his goal was tonight.
Mark Johnson
Well, he’s been playing with a lot more confidence lately. Tonight’s goal was huge,not only because it was the game-winner but because it shows his ability to rise to the occasion. He’s shown flashes of this kind of brilliance before, and with increased ice time and opportunity, he’s starting to really find his rhythm.
Byram Returns to Denver
The matchup also marked the return of Bowen Byram to Ball Arena. byram, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avs, was traded to Buffalo last year. Discuss what Byram means to both the Avalanche and the Sabres franchises, and how his return to Denver played into tonight’s game.
Interviewer
Switching gears a bit, tonight was also a homecoming for Bowen Byram. What a journey he’s had, from being a key part of the championship team here in Colorado to now being a top defenseman for the Sabres.
Mark Johnson
It’s been quite a story. Byram’s integral to the Avalanche’s Cup run. He’s a highly talented young defenseman who is a cornerstone for the Sabres’ future. I’m sure seeing him back in Denver brought back a lot of memories.
Interviewer
Did you think it added an extra layer of intensity to the game tonight?
Mark Johnson
It sort of felt like there was a little extra buzz in the arena surrounding his return. Both teams seemed to elevate their game tonight.
Looking Ahead for the Avalanche
Conclude the interview by looking towards the avs’ remaining schedule and their pursuit of a playoff spot. What challenges lie ahead for them,and how can they capitalize on their current momentum?
Interviewer
Looking ahead,what are some of the biggest challenges facing the Avalanche as they push towards the playoffs?
Mark Johnson
Staying healthy is crucial. They’ve already shown they can win despite injuries, but depth will be key. The western Conference is incredibly competitive this year, so every point matters. They need to keep this momentum going and maintain their strong defensive play.
Interviewer
Mark Johnson, always insightful commentary. Thanks so much for joining us today.
Mark Johnson
My pleasure.
