The Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche will take things out doors on Saturday night, as they’ll play a Stadium Series game at Coors Field in Denver.
It should be an intriguing matchup between the pipes.
As expected, the Red Wings will start Petr Mrazek in the great outdoors. He’s never played in an outdoor game in his career.
The Wings starter dressed as Jimmy Howard’s backup in the 2014 Winter Classic against Toronto, but now it’s his time to shine.
“I’m very excited,” Mrazek said, per MLive.com. “It’s gonna be my first start in an outdoor game. I have to be careful with what’s gonna happen because the ice is gonna be different and kind of slower. I have to be aware of that.”
Mrazek will be using new gear tonight. Here’s what it looks like:
Have you seen @pmrazek34's #StadiumSeries gear? It's just D-lightful. https://t.co/fbRLDe3ddM pic.twitter.com/6kc83Lzwb3
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2016
The Avalanche will turn to their starter, Semyon Varlamov.
Elsewhere...
--Michael Hutchinson will make his second straight start for the Jets. He’ll face Marc-Andre Fleury and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
--Roberto Luongo will be between the pipes in Saturday’s matinee against the Jackets. Columbus will go with rookie Joonas Korpisalo.
--Jake Allen is expected to get the start against the Predators. It looks like Nashville will go with Pekka Rinne.
--Henrik Lundqvist will get the nod for the Rangers. The Stars could go with Kari Lehtonen, but they’ve yet to name their starter.
--Jonathan Bernier will look to collect his first career win in his home province. The Canadiens will counter with Mike Condon.
--Craig Anderson is expected to get the start for the Senators (not confirmed). Joni Ortio was the first goaltender off the ice this morning for the Flames.
--After Chad Johnson played on Friday, look for Robin Lehner to start against the Kings. Backup goalie Jhonas Enroth will likely be between the pipes against his former team.