Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV: ALT / KTVD (Colorado), MSG / MSG 2 (New Jersey); ESPN+
The Avalanche (11 points, 3rd in Central) visit the Devils (8 points, 5th in Metropolitan) in a non-conference matchup. Colorado is concluding a two-game road trip after a 3-2 loss at Philadelphia on Monday and sits second in the league in goals per game (4.22). New Jersey opens a three-game homestand after a 4-2 road loss at Washington and remains streaky early. This is the first of two meetings this season (rematch Oct. 28 in Denver).
Venue
Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Capacity approximately 16,500–18,000 for hockey. Home of the Devils with a strong, energetic atmosphere for early-season games.
Current Rosters and Projected Lineups
Colorado Avalanche (high-octane offense led by elite talent; Coach: Jared Bednar):
Key forwards include Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Gabriel Landeskog (captain), Nazem Kadri, Jaden Schwartz, Fedor Svechkov, T.J. Hughes, Parker Kelly, and others. Defense features Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Brett Kulak, Sam Malinski, Josh Manson, Brent Burns. Goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.
Projected lineup:
Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Necas
Landeskog – Nelson – Kadri
Schwartz – Svechkov – T.J. Hughes
Kelly – Brindley
Defense: Toews–Makar; Kulak–Malinski; Manson–Burns
Likely starter: Scott Wedgewood (Blackwood started Monday).
New Jersey Devils (skilled, speed-oriented group; Coach: Sheldon Keefe):
Key forwards include Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier (captain), Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Luke Evangelista, Dawson Mercer, Arseny Gritsyuk, Evan Rodrigues, Anthony Mantha, Cody Glass, Connor Brown, and others. Defense: Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, Declan Chisholm, Johnathan Kovacevic. Goalies: Jake Allen and Nico Daws.
Projected lineup:
Meier – Hischier – Evangelista
Gritsyuk – Jack Hughes – Bratt
Mantha – Rodrigues – Mercer
Boqvist – Glass – Brown
Defense: Luke Hughes–Pesce; Siegenthaler–Hamilton; Chisholm–Kovacevic
Likely starter: Jake Allen.
Injury Reports
Avalanche:
Logan O’Connor (RW) — Out / LTIR (lower body)
Nicolas Roy (C) — Out (lower body)
Zachary L’Heureux (LW) — Out (upper body)
Georgii Merkulov (C) — Out (undisclosed)
Core stars (MacKinnon, Makar, Lehkonen, Necas, Landeskog, etc.) are available.
Devils:
Nick Bjugstad (C) — Out / LTIR (upper body/pectoral)
Seamus Casey (D) — Out (knee)
Anthony Mantha — Day-to-day / questionable (illness)
Connor Brown expected to make his season debut after lower-body injury. Luke Evangelista returning from illness.
Recent Team Forms
Avalanche (last 5): L 2-3 at PHI, W 5-2 vs PIT, L 2-3 SO vs DAL, W 3-2 at DAL, L 3-6 vs TOR. Offensively potent (38 goals in 9 games) but inconsistent results; 2-2-0 on the road. MacKinnon leads with 16 points.
Devils (last 5): L 2-4 at WSH, W 7-1 vs NYR, W 5-4 OT at DET, L 1-4 vs OTT, W 4-1 vs VAN. 3-2-0 at home; capable of explosive nights but defensive lapses (3.38 GA/GP). Jack Hughes leads with 9 points.
Colorado ranks near the top in offense and solid defensively; New Jersey generates high shot volume but has been leakier in its own end and on the penalty kill.
Key Player Matchups
Nathan MacKinnon / Martin Necas / Artturi Lehkonen vs. Devils top defense and centers (Hischier, Pesce, Luke Hughes): Colorado’s dynamic top line against New Jersey’s structured checking and mobile blue line. MacKinnon has historically produced well vs. the Devils.
Jack Hughes / Jesper Bratt / Arseny Gritsyuk vs. Cale Makar / Devon Toews: Speed and skill of the Devils’ attack against Colorado’s elite defensive pair. Makar’s two-way impact will be critical.
Cale Makar’s offensive generation vs. New Jersey’s forecheck and transition: Makar’s point production and rush ability against a Devils team that likes to play with pace.
Special teams battle: Colorado’s strong penalty kill (81.8%) vs. New Jersey’s power play; Devils’ weaker PK could be tested by Avalanche skill.
Goaltending: Wedgewood (strong early numbers in limited action) vs. Allen (volume starter with mixed results).
Depth and physicality on the back end (Manson, Burns for COL; Hamilton, Siegenthaler for NJ) will also factor in.
Series History
Avalanche hold the all-time regular-season edge (25-18-3-2 in 48 previous games). The teams met in the 2001 Stanley Cup Final, with Colorado winning in seven games. Recent meetings have often been high-scoring, with Colorado winning four of the past six and putting up big numbers in victories. First meeting of 2026-27.
Betting Trends
Colorado ranks among the league’s highest-scoring teams and has performed well when opponents take more penalties.
Devils strong at home and capable of high-output games but inconsistent defensively.
Avalanche on the second night of a back-to-back after a loss; Devils more rested.
Totals often play near or over 6.5 given both teams’ offensive talent.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche 6.5
New Jersey Devils – 113
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, October 19, 2026
