Vegas Golden Knights at Avalanche Game 1: The Next Test Begins, Lines, Notes & How To Watch

The Colorado Avalanche return to the Western Conference Final and will host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:15 pm MT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. If you enjoy the coverage here at Colorado Hockey Now and would like to chip in to the travel budget for the Western Conference Final and potentially a Stanley Cup Final, please do so here via PAYPAL or VENMO .

Key Stories to Watch The Avalanche are back in the Western Conference Final for the first time in four years, and will take on the Vegas Golden Knights in a playoff series for the second time. The Avs went 2-0-1 against the Golden Knights in the regular seasonand are 9-3-2 in the last 15 head-to-head meetings. Cale Makar will not play for the Avalanche, effectively missing a playoff game for just the second time in his career.

The only other time Makar sat out was when he served his one-game suspension against the Seattle Kraken in 2023. Head coach Jared Bednar said Makar is doing better, was on the ice before morning skate, and is listed as day-to-day. Jack Ahcan will dress in his place.

Scott Wedgewood looks to be the guy tonight, as he’ll make his ninth start in 10 games in the postseason. Wedgewood is likely going up against Carter Hart. The Vegas netminder is 8-4 and has started every game of the Knights’ playoffs to date.