Heading into this game the Colorado Avalanche had won a franchise record eight straight road games and looking to add another to the streak. The struggling Detroit Red Wings were in their sights but several injury updates right before game time made this matchup more difficult than it presented on paper.
Cale Makar was a late scratch despite his absence in warmup evading all in attendance with the official word as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Valeri Nichushkin was questionable and left off the lineup the Avalanche provided but he was indeed able to play.