Game Day : Oilers vs Avalanche **UPDATE**

Edmonton (5-2-2) vs Colorado (6-3-0)

Time:     7:00pm
Where:   Pepsi Center
Watch:    Sportsnet One
Listen:    630 Ched

Projected Line Combinations

Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle

Smyth - Horcoff - Jones

Paajarvi - Belanger - Gagner

Petrell - Lander - Eager

I would expect a huge game from the top line tonight. Yes it is back to back games with some brutal travel in between but I think they will be thrilled to not have to face another veteran squad. They will likely have more time and space to do their thing so it could be another big night for the trio. The bottom nine need a different look but I can't see it happening tonight against the Av's.

 
Defence Pairings

Gilbert - Smid
Peckham - Potter
Sutton - Barker

**UPDATE ** 

The team did call up Jeff Petry, as I expected, but no word yet on if he will be playing tonight. If he does, look for Peckham to return to the press box.

**UPDATE**  





With confirmation coming last night that Ryan Whitney will be lost for the next three to four weeks, expect Jeff Petry to join the club sometime in Colorado. If he makes it before game time, I would expect Petry in the lineup for the tiring Andy Sutton or the struggling Theo Peckham.

Netminder

**UPDATE**

No shock, Dubnyk will start.

**UPDATE**

Coming off his best start of the season, Nikolai Khabibulin has coach Renney saying he is now undecided as to whom will start in goal against the Av's. The plan all along was for Devan Dubnyk to get the call against Colorado and I honestly can't see that changing. Look for Dubnyk to come out and play at a very high level.



  Colorado Notes 

• One of the biggest issues the Av's have had since Patrick Roy retired, was not having a top end NHL goalie.That being said, both free agent pickups J.S. Gigure and starter Semyon Varlamov have been solid in goal and have led Colorado to a surprising start to the 20011-2012 campaign.

• Rookie power forward Gabriel Landeskog, like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, has proved he belongs in the NHL. The youngster already has four goals on the season and has shown to have an all around game. Be it hitting guys or blocking shots, the Swede seems to be able to do it all.