The Colorado Avalanche visit the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at Bell Centre with the Avalanche vs Canadiens injuries question looming over Colorado’s lineup after both Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar exited Thursday’s overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game opens a season series between the two clubs. The biggest question entering the night is whether Colorado’s top two offensive players will be available against a Montreal team that has won 12 of its first 19 games.
Avalanche Vs Canadiens Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Altitude 2 Sports, KTVD-TV (My20)
- Series: First meeting of the 2026-27 season
Will MacKinnon And Makar Play Saturday?
Both players are listed as day-to-day after leaving Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa with lower-body injuries, according to TSN. MacKinnon has 10 goals and 30 points in 19 games this season and leads Colorado in both assists and total points. Makar, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, has 5 goals and 23 points in 18 games while averaging 22 minutes, 54 seconds of ice time per outing.
Neither player’s Saturday status had been formally resolved as of Friday evening. Colorado also has Josh Manson on injured reserve with a left ankle injury and Zachary L’Heureux on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, with Manson not projected to return until Dec. 27.
What Is Montreal’s Injury Situation?
The Canadiens enter Saturday with five players on their injury report. Chris Kreider is day-to-day with a left leg issue, while Ivan Demidov remains on injured reserve with a right ankle fracture. Goaltender Sam Montembeault is also on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and defenseman Bryce Pickford and forward Lucas Condotta are both on injured reserve with undisclosed injuries, with return dates projected for Nov. 30. Jacob Fowler is listed as Montreal’s probable starting goaltender for Saturday, while Mackenzie Blackwood is projected to start for Colorado.
How Have Both Teams Been Trending?
Colorado is 11-6-3 and tied with Nashville for second in the Central Division. The Avalanche have alternated wins and losses in their last five games, including a 6-3 win at Toronto on Nov. 11 sandwiched between a 4-0 shutout of Detroit and Thursday’s overtime defeat in Ottawa. Montreal sits at 12-3-4 and is second in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Tampa Bay. The Canadiens have won three of their last five, capped by a 5-2 win at Boston on Friday, the night before hosting Colorado.
Saturday’s game marks the midpoint of Colorado’s four-game Eastern Canada road swing. After facing Montreal, the Avalanche close out the trip against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.
By The Numbers
- Goals: Colorado 81, Montreal 65
- Points (team total): Colorado 228, Montreal 173
- Shots on goal: Colorado 607, Montreal 529
- Shooting percentage: Montreal 12.3%, Colorado 13.3%
- Power-play goals: Colorado 16, Montreal 8
- Goals against average: Colorado 3.10, Montreal 3.00
- Save percentage: Montreal .899, Colorado .890
- Faceoff percentage: Montreal 52.4%, Colorado 48.8%
- Penalty minutes: Colorado 176, Montreal 210
Key Matchup: Colorado’s Depth Against Montreal’s Goaltending
If MacKinnon and Makar are unable to play, Colorado’s offense would need to lean on its depth scorers, including Artturi Lehkonen, who leads the team with 14 goals. The Avalanche have outscored opponents by 16 more total goals than Montreal has managed, but that gap was built with MacKinnon and Makar in the lineup for most of the season. Montreal’s defense has allowed 62 goals against to Colorado’s 57, a stat that could matter more if Colorado’s top line is short-handed. Jacob Fowler’s projected start between the pipes for Montreal adds another variable, given Sam Montembeault remains out with his own injury.
What To Watch
Montreal’s 12-3-4 record has it within striking distance of the Atlantic Division lead, while Colorado’s 11-6-3 mark keeps it tied for second in the Central. Saturday’s outcome will hinge largely on whether Colorado can field MacKinnon and Makar, both of whom carry significant offensive weight for the Avalanche this season. The game also opens the season series between the two clubs, with no prior head-to-head meetings this year to draw from.
Colorado’s recent form includes a 4-0 win over the Red Wings and a loss detailed in Predators beat Avalanche in overtime. Colorado’s next scheduled matchup after Montreal comes Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth to close out its road trip.
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