The Colorado Avalanche (0-1-0) will host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ball Arena for their 2024-25 home opener.

Without Jonathan Drouin in the lineup, the Avs will have their work cut out for them. The striker, who started on Wednesday, suffered an upper body injury and will miss at least the next two games. In his place, head coach Jared Bednar named rookie Nikolai Kovalenko to play alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

Ross Colton has also been moved to the wing, joining center Casey Mittelstadt and 19-year-old Calum Ritchie on the revamped second line.

The Avs are also hoping for a revival in goaltending from Alexandar Georgiev after he allowed five goals on just 16 shots at T-Mobile Arena.

Read more: Avalanche damage goalkeeper Kaapo Kahkonen opts out

Season series

– October 12 against Columbus

– April 3 in Columbus

Avalanche injuries

Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder, out at least until the end of October), Gabriel Landeskog (knee, no schedule), Valeri Nichushkin (suspended)

Projected avalanche lines

Nikolai Kovalenko – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton – Casey Mittelstadt – Calum Ritchie
Miles Wood – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor
Ivan Ivan – Chris Wagner – Joel Kiviranta

Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Samuel Girard-Josh Manson
Calvin de Haan – Sam Malinski

Alexandra Georgiev
Justus Annunen

Planned starters

Alexandar Georgiev (COL) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ)

Upcoming milestones

Nathan MacKinnon – needs 8 games for 800

Casey Mittelstadt – needs 3 points for 200

Mikko Rantanen – needs 7 power play goals for 100

Devon Toews – needs 2 games for 400, 7 assists for 200

Here’s how to watch