The Colorado Avalanche face critical lineup decisions as Valeri Nichushkin is set to return, alongside potential returns for Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood. This necessitates the removal of three forwards from the active roster, raising questions about the futures of rookies Ivan Ivan and Nikolai Kovalenko.

Both rookies have performed well, contributing to the team's success, and have shown promise in their roles. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged their solid play but emphasized the need for consistency. The final decisions will hinge on the team's power play and penalty kill setups.

Samuel Girard's overtime goal propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, marking their second consecutive win and improving their season record to 8-8.

Alexandar Georgiev's 29 saves were crucial as the Avalanche overcame an early deficit, with Devon Toews and Mikko Rantanen also contributing goals. Nathan MacKinnon reached a league-leading 30 points this season, while Colton Sissons tied the game for Nashville.

The Colorado Avalanche are facing a significant injury crisis as Ross Colton is expected to miss six to eight weeks due to a broken foot. Coach Jared Bednar also announced that Miles Wood will likely be sidelined for 7 to 10 days with an upper-body injury. This situation leaves the team without six of their top ten forwards, impacting their lineup significantly.

Bednar emphasized the need to focus on the players available and adapt to the circumstances. The Avalanche will have rookies and players with AHL experience stepping up as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Additionally, goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen is set to make his Avalanche debut after being claimed off waivers. The team currently struggles with a low save percentage, highlighting the urgency for improvement in their goaltending performance.

The Colorado Avalanche are struggling early in the 2024-2025 NHL season, with their Stanley Cup odds slipping from +1000 to +1300 due to a 5-5-0 start and significant injuries.

Key players like Ross Colton and Miles Wood are sidelined, while others face suspensions and recoveries. Head coach Jared Bednar has adjusted the lineup, promoting rookies and recalling players from the AHL to cope with the crisis.

Goaltending issues compound their troubles, with Alexandar Georgiev's poor performance leading to the debut of Kaapo Kahkonen. The upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Lightning poses a crucial test for the Avalanche's depth and resilience amidst adversity.