Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames: NHL Preview – Game 26

The Colorado Avalanche look to rebound after a tough loss to one of the best teams in the game – the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal scored what would be the game-winner late in the third period as Max Pacioretty sent a wrister past Calvin Pickard, resulting in a 4-3 Montreal victory. Tonight the Avs look to respond on the road as they face the Calgary Flames.

What: NHL Preview – Game 26: Colorado Avalanche (9-11-5, 23 points) vs. Calgary Flames (16-8-2, 34 points)
When: Thursday, December 4th
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary, Alberta, Ontario)
Time: 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

Colorado sent Calvin Pickard back down to Lake Erie in wake of Semyon Varlamov coming off the injured-reserve. It’s good news for Colorado because they need to start putting a string of wins together. Varly said he is 100% healthy and that’s exactly what the Avalanche need. Varlamov last played against the New Jersey Devils back on Nov. 15th after re-aggravating that groin injury that sidelined him earlier in the season.

More from Colorado Avalanche

• Colorado Avalanche: 2018-19 Season a Success Even With Playoff Loss
• Colorado Avalanche: Series Tied as Avalanche Roll to Victory
• Colorado Avalanche: Sharks Secure Second Stanza
• Colorado Avalanche: Big Victory Has Team Thinking Big
• Colorado Avalanche: Playoff Matchup with the Flames Begins Wednesday

Avs’ defenseman Tyson Barrie is having a heck of a year for the club after coming back from injury in the playoffs. Barrie picked up a goal in the loss to Montreal, pushing him to 19 points on the season which leads the club. Barrie also leads the team in assists with 16.

Lets face it, Nick Holden has been terrible on defense the entire season. Patrick Roy decided to yank Holden from defense and move him to the forward position, in which he made his NHL debut with Colorado back in ’13. Holden will reportedly serve as a fourth-line winger. Holden sits at a team worst -16 in terms of plus/minus.

This Calgary team that the Avalanche will face is not the same one we saw last year – this team in much improved. Calgary sits with a record of (16-8-2, 34 points) and are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. Josh Jooris had himself a night, recording a hat-trick (3 goals) en route to victory. His teammate Dennis Wideman would collect two assists as both players earned the first and second star of the game respectively.

Puck-drop between the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames is scheduled for 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST.