The Avalanche have lost three straight games and are 3-7-1 in their past 11.
"We're flipping them around a little bit to see if we can spark a few guys," coach Jared Bednar said after an hourlong practice Friday.
Matt Nieto, who has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 35 games, will move from the third line and replace Landeskog (43 points; 24 goals, 19 assists in 38 games) at left wing on the top line with MacKinnon (57 points; 22 goals, 35 assists in 38 games) at center and Rantanen (60 points; 16 goals, 44 assists in 38 games) at right wing.
Landeskog will move to the second line with center Alex Kerfoot (21 points; six goals, 15 assists in 34 games) and right wing J.T. Compher (16 points; 10 goals, six assists, 22 games).
"We've done it a couple times in the middle of games and it's paid off in our favor," Bednar said. "We've talked to our top guys about it, they're open to the change. We're going to see what we can do, see if we can find another combination that works for our whole team."
Landeskog didn't seem surprised by the move.
"We've lost three in a row, so we've got to change something up," the Avalanche captain said. "Obviously, we had some chemistry with me, Mikko and Nate, but I'm excited to play with [Compher] and [Kerfoot], and I think [Nieto] is going to do great with Nate and Mikko.
"It's very rare that a line stays together for 82 games, but I kind of figured you guys would come in and get excited over this, but for us it's just a part of the business. For me, it doesn't really matter who I'm playing with. I'm just excited to get back out and get back on the winning side."
Bednar said he thinks Nieto, who scored an NHL career-high 15 goals last season, will complement MacKinnon and Rantanen with his speed.
"I like the way he skates, he plays the right way, his details are good, heads to the right areas of the ice," Bednar said. "When he plays with top-end players he tends to make some plays. I think he has some finish there. I like his speed and pace that he plays at."
Nieto called the promotion a great opportunity.
"I'm not the most skilled guy, but I think I have the ability to make plays and I can think the game at a high pace," he said. "I'm just going to try and make the most of it."
Sheldon Dries will replace Nieto on the third line with center Carl Soderberg and right wing Matt Calvert. Tyson Jost will be the center on the fourth line with left wing Sven Andrighetto and right wing Gabriel Bourque.
