Boston Bruins (2-2-0) @ Colorado Avalanche (0-3-0)

7:30 p.m. MT | ball arena | Watch: TNT, TruTV, Max | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)

The Avalanche continue their home game against the Boston Bruins looking to bounce back from their first three games. This will be the Avalanche's third straight game against an Eastern Conference opponent after facing the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets. Colorado and Boston will meet one more time this season, facing off on January 25th at TD Garden.

Last result (COL): NYI 6, COL 2

Last result (BOS): FLA 4, BOS 3

Avalanche vs Islanders 10/14/24 Summary

The Avalanche lost to the Islanders 6-2 at Ball Arena on Monday. Avalanche forward Calum Ritchie opened the scoring with his first career NHL goal 61 seconds into the game. From there, the Islanders took control of the game, scoring four goals in a row. Colorado responded when Casey Mittelstadt scored his third goal of the season early in the third period to increase the score to 4-2. However, the Islanders scored the next two goals.

Avs successes

Not only did Ritchie score his first NHL goal on Wednesday, but he is also third on the team with 10 shots on goal.

After being recalled from the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, on Wednesday morning, Matthew Stienburg could make his NHL debut on Wednesday night. Stienburg, who the Avalanche selected No. 63 in the 2019 NHL Draft, has two points (1g/1a) in two games for the Eagles this season.

Devon Toews missed Monday's game with a lower-body injury. His next appearance will be his 400th career game. In 399 games he scored 235 points (52g/183a). Since entering the league in 2018-19, Toews has the NHL's best plus/minus rating of +154.

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are tied for the team lead with five points each. MacKinnon has a goal and four assists, while Makar has five assists.

Mittelstadt and Mikko Rantanen are tied in the lead with three goals.

Story

In 32 previous meetings, the Avalanche had a 26-14-2 record against the Bruins. In the 2023-24 season, each team won on home ice, with the Avalanche winning 4-3 in overtime at Ball Arena and the Bruins winning 5-2 at TD Garden.

Falling to Florida

The Bruins lost 4-3 to the Panthers at TD Garden on Monday. Boston opened the scoring early in the first period with a goal from John Beecher, but Florida responded with two goals from Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart to take a 2-1 lead. Brandon Carlo tied the game for the Bruins early in the second period, but the Panthers responded with two goals from Reinhart and Lundell. Boston's final goal of the game was scored by Mason Lohrei, cutting the Panthers' lead in half, but they still failed and lost 4-3.

A Denver champion returns

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery was head coach at the University of Denver for five seasons from 2013 to 2018, winning the 2017 National Championship. At DU, he coached current Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor for three seasons from 2015 to 2018, where he also coached and won the aforementioned state championship.

Statistics you should know

In 19 games against the Bruins, MacKinnon has 14 points (6g/8a), including 12 points (5g/7a) in his last 11 games.

Makar has six points (1g/5a) in eight games against Boston, including two assists in two games last season.

Bruins in numbers

Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic are tied at the top of the table with five points and have each scored two goals and three assists so far.

David Pastrnak leads the Bruins with three goals, while Lindholm, Kastelic and Charlie McAvoy are tied for second.

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman has compiled a 2-1-0 record, a save percentage of .893 and a goals-against average of 2.98.

Numbers game

30

Colorado has registered at least 30 shots in each of its three games during the 2024-25 season, including 24 on Monday.

4

The Avalanche have four players averaging at least one point per game: MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen and Mittelstadt.

Quote(s) that left their mark

“He had a great start to the game. He was rewarded for doing the right things.”

– Jared Bednar on Ritchie's performance on Monday

“We score a goal and give up a goal right after. This has happened in the last three games. It's much easier to play with the lead and we didn't do that at all. You play against good teams and if you go two or three goals behind, it’s hard to come back.”

– Mikko Rantanen about the season so far