The Avalanche will try to extend their lead in the race for the second wild card playoff position when they play in St. Louis on Monday.
Arizona remains on their heels, one point behind following its 4-0 win against Minnesota on Sunday.
"We aren't out of the woods yet, as far as playoffs go," Ian Cole said.
The Blues, who are 6-1-1 in their past eight games, also have plenty to play for; they are third in the Central Division, two points behind Winnipeg and Nashville, who are first and second, respectively.
“We know we have to keep winning hockey games, not only just to get in, but we want to keep this going heading into the playoffs because it’s hard to flip the switch,… Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “We’re playing desperate right now and I think that’s going to be good for us.…
The Avalanche have gone 6-0-1 in the past seven games, and Philipp Grubauer has been in goal for all of them while posting a 1.55 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.
Grubauer is expected to make his eighth consecutive start.
The Blues won all three previous games between the teams: 3-2 in overtime Nov. 30 at the Pepsi Center; 4-3 in overtime Dec. 14 in St. Louis; and 3-0 Feb. 16 at the Pepsi Center.
Defenseman Mark Barberio rejoined the Avalanche after playing two games for the Colorado Eagles on a conditioning assignment. He had an assist and four penalty minutes with the AHL team.
The projected lineup:
Alexander Kerfoot – Nathan MacKinnon – J.T. Compher Gabriel Landeskog – Carl Soderberg – Colin Wilson Matt Nieto – Tyson Jost – Matt Calvert Sven Andrighetto – Derick Brassard – Gabriel Bourque
Samuel Girard – Erik Johnson Ian Cole – Tyson Barrie Nikita Zadorov – Patrik Nemeth
Philipp Grubauer Semyon Varlamov