The Tampa Bay Lightning begin their first back-to-back of the season tonight against the Colorado Avalanche, and on today's episode of Lightning Power Lunch, Dave Mishkin and Greg Linnelli discuss the latest lineup news, including **Anthony Cirelli missing practice and potentially being unavailable against Colorado. If Cirelli can't go, it could create a major opportunity for Dominic James, who skated alongside Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov during practice.

The guys preview tonight's matchup against the Avalanche, examining Colorado's surprising 5-4-1 start despite strong offensive numbers, a plus-11 goal differential and another elite season from Nathan MacKinnon. They discuss why the Avalanche may be a dangerous opponent coming off back-to-back losses and what challenges await the Lightning at Ball Arena.

Later, Avalanche radio voice Conor McGahey joins the show to break down Colorado's season, the impact of Cale Makar, the remarkable comeback story of Gabriel Landeskog, concerns surrounding the Avalanche power play, and why Colorado may actually be deeper than last season's Presidents' Trophy-winning team.

Plus, discussion on Brent Burns chasing the NHL Iron Man record, Mackenzie Blackwood and Colorado's goaltending situation, a blockbuster trade sending Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey, and the Lightning's ongoing power-play evolution featuring Charles-Édouard D'Astous and John Carlson.

Topics Discussed

• Anthony Cirelli misses practice and his status for tonight
• Dominic James' opportunity on a line with Hagel and Kucherov
• Previewing Lightning vs. Avalanche
• Colorado's surprising start despite strong underlying numbers
• Nathan MacKinnon's hot start to the season
• Why the Avalanche are determined to avoid a third straight regulation loss
• Conor McGahey joins the show
• How Cale Makar's injury affected Colorado's playoff run
• Why the Avalanche may be deeper than last year's team
• Gabriel Landeskog's comeback and current role
• Colorado's power-play struggles
• Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Scott Wedgewood in net
• Brent Burns pursuing the NHL Iron Man streak record
• Connor Hellebuyck traded to the New Jersey Devils
• Lightning power-play discussion and Charles-Édouard D'Astous' role
• Could Victor Hedman return to the top power-play unit?
• Calling NHL games from difficult broadcast locations
• Why Edmonton remains one of the toughest road broadcasts in hockey
• Looking ahead to the Utah Mammoth matchup

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