Avalanche lineup tonight: Colorado’s projected lineup for game against the Chicago Blackhawks | Jan. 8, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche (25-15-1) will collide with the Chicago Blackhawks (13-25-2) on the road on Wednesday. After picking up a 3-1 win over the defending Stanley Cup champions, Florida Panthers, to kick off the week, Colorado will be looking to keep the momentum going tonight when they face the Blackhawks, who are coming off a 6-2 loss to New York.

While Chicago is sitting comfortably in last place in the Central Division standings, Colorado is currently tied for third in the division with the Dallas Stars. Given that both teams have 51 points, tonight's game is a must-win for Colorado if they want to continue to climb up the divisional ladder.

When the team takes the ice tonight, however, they will be without a number of players such as Gabriel Landeskog and Tucker Poolman, who are both on IR. Additionally, Valeri Nichushkin will be sidelined with a lower-body injury while netminder Scott Wedge is out and considered week-to-week.

Colorado Avalanche's projected lines

Forwards:

1. Jonathan Douin (LW) - Nathan Mackinnon (C) - Mikko Rantanen (RW)
2. Artturi Lehkonen (LW) - Casey Mittelstadt (C) - Ross Colton (RW)
3. Joel Kiviranta (LW) - Parker Kelly (C) - Logan O'Connor (RW)
4. Tye Felhaber (LW) - Juuso Parssinen (C) - Jere Innala (RW)

Defense:

1. Devon Towes - Cale Makar
2. Samuel Girard - Josh Manson
3. Keaton Middleton - Sam Malinski

Goalies:

• Mackenzie Blackwood
• Trent Miner

Powerplay:

1. Jonathan Douin, Casey Mittelstadt, Mikko Rantanen, Nathan Mackinnon, Cale Makar
2. Artturi Lehkonen, Ross Colton, Juuso Parssinen, Samuel Girard, Devon Toews

Penalty Kill:

1. Parker Kelly, Logan O'Connor, Devon Toews, Cale Makar
2. Joel Kiviranta, Artturi Lehkonen, Samuel Girard, Josh Manson

Looking at the odds for tonight's Avalanche vs Blackhawks game as well as upcoming games on Colorado's schedule

Heading into tonight's divisional showdown between the Avalanche and the Blackhawks, Colorado is sitting as a pretty comfortable betting favorite on most sportsbooks. Given how well the team has played this season compared to the Blackhawks, the odds for tonight's game shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

On Bet 365, Colorado is a -245 favorite while Chicago is a +200 underdog. Meanwhile, on BallyBet, Colorado is a -235 favorite while Chicago is a +188 underdog.

If these lines hold steady between now and puck drop, it would take a $245 bet on Colorado to win $100 on Bet365, while a $100 bet on the Blackhawks would win $200.

Following tonight's showdown at the United Center, the Avalanche will be back in action on Thursday when they play the Minnesota Wild. The team will then wrap up the week with a showdown against the Winnipeg Jets, who lead the Central Division, before returning home for a four-game stretch beginning on Tuesday.