Matt Duchene will return to the lineup Monday when the Avalanche play Columbus in the finale of their three-game road trip.
Here are the GAME NOTES.
With Duchene back after missing four games to recover from a concussion, Joe Colborne will be scratched. He still hasn't scored a goal since a hat trick opening night.
Gabriel Landeskog remained in Colorado for treatment of his lower-body injury and will miss his third consecutive game. I hope to get an update on his status after the Avalanche arrive home, assuming they practice Tuesday.
Semyon Varlamov will be in goal. The Avalanche haven't won two games in a row since the first two games of the season. Coach Jared Bednar told reporters after the morning skate that Duchene would play wing on a line with Carl Soderberg and A.J. Greer. Nathan MacKinnon will center Andreas Martinsen and Mikko Rantanen.
"I feel good,… Duchene said. “I feel like myself. I’ve taken the time I needed to take to feel good. I’m feeling like I’m ready.…
The Blue Jackets will have a video tribute for defenseman Fedor Tyutin, who signed with the Avalanche on July 1 after his contract was bought out. He played eight seasons with Columbus and is the franchise leader among defensemen for games (553), assists (146) and points (185).
The Blue Jackets (10-4-2) have won four games in a row, seven in a row at home. Defenseman Seth Jones will play after missing six games with a fractured foot.
Columbus didn't have a morning skate, but that isn't only because it played Sunday in Washington, defeating the Capitals 3-2. Coach John Tortorella has decided, at least for now, to skip morning skates.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is 8-1-0 in his past nine starts with two shutouts, a 2.06 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
Avalanche projected lineup:
FORWARDS Andreas Martinsen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen A.J. Greer -- Carl Soderberg -- Matt Duchene Blake Comeau -- John Mitchell -- Jarome Iginla Rene Bourque -- Mikhail Grigorenko -- Cody McLeod
DEFENSE Fedor Tyutin -- Erik Johnson Nikita Zadorov/Eric Gelinas -- Tyson Barrie Francois Beauchemin -- Patrick Wiercioch
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Calvin Pickard