Game Preview: The Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers Finish Series with Colorado

Denver, Co. – The Colorado Avalanche finish up their first homestand of 2025 against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions tonight. The Florida Panthers come to Colorado off of a 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Shootouts seem to be the theme lately as the Avalanche head into tonight off of a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

Not pertaining to the game tonight, Avalanche Captain Gabe Landeskog hit the ice on Monday morning, this time joined by Ivan Ivan and Valeri Nichushkin (both wearing red no-contact jerseys). Though the latter two went back down the tunnel following the session, Gabe stayed to participate in morning skate. This is the second consecutive morning skate where he’s joined in on the team’s drills. He still has not joined special teams scenarios, and likely will not until he’s slated to rejoin the lineup.

Heading right into it, here are the three keys to the game for Monday night’s matchup for the Avalanche.

1.) The Lumber Yard vs. A Guy Called Bob

Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky occupied each team’s respective starter’s creases Monday morning. The question has been asked: with the offensive prowess both of these teams possess, could this become a goaltender battle? Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice’s answer? “God, we hope not, but possibly. Probably.”

It’s an honest answer, as both teams possess some of the greatest offensive and defensive players in the league, with MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar on one side and Barkov, Reinhart, and Forsling on the other. Take into account some of the depth behind them and it becomes a matchup of skill and grit.

Also take into account the last ten games for each team. For the Panthers, they’ve gone 6-4-0 in their last ten, but the Avalanche? They’re 7-2-1. Impressive for a team that was 5-5-0 through their first ten games. Coincidentally or not, the difference has been goaltending and the ripple effect that has had on the team.

Related: Avalanche Complete Goalie Swap With Sharks; Acquire New No. 1 Goalie

While the Panthers may not be at the top of the Eastern Conference, having a goaltender like Bobrovsky, certainly makes coming away from games with a win easier. Revered as one of the best goaltenders in the league, he’s been credited with many wins for the Panthers during his tenure with the team. He was instrumental in last year’s postseason, playing in all 24 games to help bring the cup to Sunshine, Florida

Blackwood has taken on the role of “starting goaltender” with the Avalanche, especially in the wake of goaltender Scott Wedgewood’s lower-body injury, sustained during Thursday’s 6-5 win over Buffalo. Head Coach Jared Bednar has credited him many times with “giving the team a chance to win,” and no better matchup to test your strength against than the monster of a team that the reigning cup champs have proven themselves to be.

2.) “Woah, we’re halfway there…”

The halfway point of the season is officially here! Tonight’s game is game #41 for Colorado’s 2024-25 campaign. The Avalanche lineup has made it through blow after blow after blow (after blow) this season, one of the wildest injury seasons to date for this team. And yet, they’ve managed to put themselves in the first wild card spot in the West and maintain a points percentage above .600 (currently at .612%).

With that first wild card spot, the Avalanche currently hold 49 points, which also ranks them 12th in the league. This success not only comes from elite talent from their top lines but contributions from the depth of the team and steady, consistent goaltending.

Another postseason berth is in sight for Colorado, and a win against the reigning cup champs is a good measuring stick for how far this team can go despite the adversity they have faced all season.

3.) Make the Predators Their Prey:

Before Saturday’s loss to the Canadiens, they held the longest active win streak in the NHL at six games. That momentum is not easily lost on a 2-1 shootout loss, but take into account that in those six games, the Avalanche scored four or more goals to come away with those wins.

This includes production from top guys like Mikko Rantanen, who is currently on a 13-game point streak (tied for the longest set by an Avs player this year). Not only is he one game behind the current longest streak in the NHL, held by Edmonton Oilers’ forward Leon Draisaitl, but he is also one game away from tying his career-best 14-game streak, set during the 2018-19 season.

The last time these two teams faced off (November 23), the Avalanche won 7-5. Rantanen had a 4-point night and teammate Jonathan Drouin had a 2-goal game. Performances like that are crucial to coming away from tonight with a win.

Where/How to Find the Game:

Puck drop is slated for 7:08 pm Mountain Time.

Tonight is another coveted local Altitude broadcast, where you’ll be in good hands with Marc Moser and Mark Rycroft. If radio is more your speed, Conor McGahey has you covered over on Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5FM/950AM.

Panther’s fans can find the broadcast with Scripps Sports.

Make sure you bookmark THN’s Colorado Avalanche site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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