Avalanche Vs Ducks: Last Game Before Trade Deadline, Projected Lineups
avalanche vs ducks — The Colorado Avalanche travel to Anaheim for Game #60 on 03/03/26 as the Ducks look to extend a winning streak and Colorado navigates injuries ahead of the trade deadline. The matchup brings top-line matchups and fresh roster shuffles, with projected lineups and injury notes shaping both benches. This game matters for momentum and roster decisions for both clubs on the eve of the deadline.
Avalanche Vs Ducks projected lines
Projected Avalanche forward group lists Gabriel Landeskog with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Nečas, Victor Olofsson with Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton with Jack Drury and Jason Polin, and Zakhar Bardakov with Parker Kelly and Gavin Brindley. Colorado blue-line pairings include Devon Toews with Cale Makar, Josh Manson with Brent Burns, and Brett Kulak with Sam Malinski. The Avalanche did not hold a morning skate after a 4-2 win at the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, and Jason Polin was recalled from Colorado of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. Artturi Lehkonen was injured during the first period of that game and Jared Bednar said the forward would “miss some time. ” Joel Kiviranta remains in concussion protocol after a hit by Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman and skated in a noncontact jersey Monday.
Projected Ducks lineup, injuries and goaltending
Anaheim projects Chris Kreider with Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, Jeffrey Viel with Mason McTavish and Beckett Sennecke, Alex Killorn with Ryan Poehling and Jansen Harkins, and Ross Johnston with Tim Washe and Ian Moore. Defensively, Jackson LaCombe pairs with Jacob Trouba, Pavel Mintyukov with Drew Helleson, and Olen Zellweger with Radko Gudas. Lukáš Dostál will get the start; he was the starter the last time these teams met and made 40 saves on 41 shots and stopped both shootout attempts in a 2-1 win. Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome each participated in the Ducks’ morning skate but are not expected to play, Mikael Granlund skated before the Ducks’ morning skate and “said he felt better, ” and Troy Terry has not practiced since Feb. 26.
Immediate reactions from coaches and players
“(Colorado) is an excellent team in a lot of ways, ” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said, stressing Colorado’s speed and elite talent. “We started really well last time when we saw them. I think that put us in a position to be there at the end. ” Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke, riding a three-game point streak, said, “We just never think we’re out of a game. We always think that we can win. ” Mason McTavish added, “A really tough opponent tonight. They play so fast, and we’re just gonna have to do a really good job of eliminating their speed through the neutral zone. ” On Colorado’s injury issue, Jared Bednar said Lehkonen would “miss some time. “
Quick context and what’s next
The Ducks enter looking to extend a winning streak to six games while the Avalanche close out a back-to-back and head into roster decisions with the trade deadline looming. Night-to-night health and whether recalled players stick with the NHL club will shape line combos and matchups. Expect line deployment to hinge on which forwards are available late in the morning skate and on final scratches announced before puck drop. The next developments to watch: final game-day scratches, a confirmed starting goaltender announcement for Colorado, and any deadline moves that alter these projected rosters ahead of puck drop for this Game #60 matchup.
