I wanted to take the first couple NHL games off, but I have found a spot that I couldn't resist. This line seems high, but not for Mackinnon. First of all, Kadri is no longer on the Avalanche after signing a big time deal with the Flames leaving the door open for more volume from other players. Landeskog, the Avs captain, is also out tonight with injury (and will be for a few weeks) which leaves even more volume. Despite these fairly big lineup hits, the Avalanche remain an insane -2.5 favorite over the Blackhawks. A -2.5 line almost never happens, but this shows how much the Blackhawks will struggle especially vs Mackinnon. The Avalanche ironically started their season at home vs the Blackhawks last year and won 4-2 without Mackinnon. Kadri had a team high 5 SOG and Landeskog 4 SOG which is again volume that will be taken on by other players.
Mackinnon first two home games to start the 2021 season he peppered the net with 5 shots both games. Mackinnon's first two home games without Kadri he had 6 shots on goal in both games. In the playoffs Kadri missed 5 games and Mackinnon hit this line in 4 of those 5 games averaging over 5 SOG. With no Kadri and Landeskog, Mackinnon should have an uptick in volume at home to cover a line he constantly covered last season with those two on the ice.
