DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 02: Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood #39 of the Colorado Avalanche defends against Andrew Copp #18 of the Detroit Red Wings at Ball Arena on February 02, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Matthew Edwards · SB Nation Sun, November 8, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New look, old rival: the Colorado Avalanche debut their Hometown Remix jersey collection as their two game home stand wraps up against the visiting Detroit Red Wings.
The new threads may be a fresh coat of paint for the Avs, but perhaps revisiting a decades-old rivalry could bring them some new life to go with them.
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The Avalanche are coming off of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators as they head into tonight's contest. Former Avs forward Ross Colton put the Avs down early, but Jaden Schwartz responded to tie things up. After trailing 2-1 to start the second period, Parker Kelly scored to tie things up again. Minutes after overtime began, Devon Toews would be called for a questionable hooking penalty, leading to the eventual game-winner. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped twenty-two of twenty-five shots in the game.
Over the course of the week, the Avs been forced to play catch-up to the opposition. While they were able to overcome an early two-goal deficit to Chicago on Monday, they couldn't duplicate the same results against Columbus or Nashville. The entire first line of Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Martin Nečas have not scored a goal since Halloween. Even a slight bump in production from any of these players could have meant the difference in a close game like Thursday's against Nashville.
In speaking to reporters yesterday, head coach Jared Bednar emphasized the importance of better defensive play over offensive output. "I would give up some [offensive] production over the first sixteen games for a better defensive effort," he said. "That's where I'm at. I think the offense will take care of itself.
Bednar didn't have much of an update regarding the injured Zachary L'Heureux, other than that it was a long-term injury and there isn't a timeline for his return.
Blackwood returns to the crease tonight to wrap up the home stand.
MacKinnon still leads all skaters in points (27) and assists (18). Lehkonen leads the team in goals (12).
The Avs split the season series against Detroit last year, winning by a 5-0 margin on the road on January 31.
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Gabe Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nicolas Roy Jaden Schwartz – Nazem Kadri – T.J. Hughes Parker Kelly – Fedor Svechkov – Logan O'Connor
Defense: Cale Makar – Brett Kulak Devon Toews – Sam Malinski Noah Juulsen – Brent Burns
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Even with the moves made in the offseason, Detroit has struggled to find its footing. They sit in last place in the Atlantic Division with a 7-7-3 record and having lost three of their last four games, their most recent coming this past Thursday at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena by a 2-1 decision. Neither team scored until Anton Johansson scored early in the third period, but Vegas countered with two goals of their own to secure the win. Tarasov, playing in the place of the injured John Gibson, stopped thirty-one of thirty three shots on goal.
Gibson, who sustained a lower body injury during Detroit's 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning this past Tuesday, returned to practice yesterday. His status is currently unknown. Barring any updates as the day progresses, Tarasov will likely get the start again tonight against Colorado.
Tonight marks the beginning of a four game road trip for Detroit before hosting Boston at home on November 18.
DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond lead all Detroit skaters in points (16). Arvidsson leads the team in goals (8), while Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider lead the team in assists (10). Defenseman Ben Chiarot leads all Detroit skaters in penalty minutes (21), with Kolesar a close second (20).
Detroit defeated Colorado by a 2-0 decision during their previous visit to Denver on February 02.
Forwards: Alex DeBrincat – Emmitt Finnie – Viktor Arvidsson Michael Brandsegg-Nygård – Andrew Copp – Lucas Raymond Michael Rasmussen – J.T. Compher – Nate Danielson Carter Mazur – Sheldon Dries – Keegan Kolesar
Defense: Ben Chiarot – Moritz Seider William Wallinder – Justin Faulk Andreas Englund – Anton Johansson
Between the Pipes: Daniil Tarasov Michal Postava
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Source: Sports
