What the market can't tell you yet is what the Avalanche look like after last spring. Colorado's last competitive hockey was in May: the Avs beat Minnesota 4-3 at home and then lost 4 straight to Vegas. That was last season, and a new camp and a new roster make it background, not form. The question for Wednesday is how the team that took the ice in September holds up for 60 minutes once the exhibitions are over.
The Kings' preseason was built around this date. Their last exhibition was Saturday afternoon, which gives them a few days to settle a lineup before flying into Denver. The shortened schedule gave bubble players fewer games to make their case, so expect some of LA's depth spots to be filled by players still proving they belong. Opening on the road at altitude against a team that's been a Western Conference power is a tough first test for anyone.
Colorado's injury report has only 1 name on it: goalie Trent Miner, listed out since mid-September. That takes a depth option out of a crease the Avs brought 7 goalies to camp to sort through. Past that, both teams should be close to healthy when the puck drops at 8:00 PM MT. The Avs get the building, the banner-night crowd and the altitude. The Kings bring a veteran core and a preseason that ended right on schedule. Game 1 of 84 doesn't settle anything, but it's the first honest look at both teams.