Manson has not played since November 29th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against Utah. Before his injury, the 33-year-old Manson was averaging 17:52 time-on-ice and had six points (1G / 5A) in 24 games.

Fresh off of signing a five-year contract extension, Blackwood will be between the pipes for Colorado on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose, but has been tremendous since joining Colorado, posting a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV% in four games (3-1-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -130 road favorites against Utah.

Blackwood was acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks nearly three weeks ago and has been excellent since his debut with Colorado. Blackwood has a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV%, earning himself a five-year contract extension after only four games with the Avalanche (3-1-0). The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose.

Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said he is hopeful that Manson will return to the lineup after the Christmas break.

Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said Drouin is making improvements but still has no timeline for his return.

The former Swedish Hockey League winger is set to make his NHL debut after signing with the Avs in the off-season. Innala's North American career is off to a productive start, as he's racked up five goals and ten assists in 21 AHL games this season.

Wagner will take a seat on Friday as the Avs opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jere Innala will draw into the lineup in his place.

Wedgewood will make his fifth start as a member of the Avalanche when Colorado travels to Anaheim to take on the Ducks on Friday. Wedgewood took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 22 shots in a 4-1 defeat against Utah. The 32-year-old netminder has posted a 3-2-0 record and an impressive .931 SV% in five appearances since being acquired from the Stars. He’s got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Friday, as the Avs enter action at -215 on the money line.

The former Swedish Hockey League winger is yet to make his NHL debut after signing with the Avs in the off-season. Innala's North American career is off to a productive start, as he's racked up five goals and ten assists in 21 AHL games this season.

Felhaber is an undrafted 26-year-old that was signed by the Avalanche last week. He made his NHL debut on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, recording one hit in 4:34 time-on-ice. In 23 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season, Felhaber has 13 points (8G / 5A).

Despite a 1-1-0 record, Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche, posting a stellar 2.05 GAA and .937 SV%. He will return to the crease for a third straight game when Colorado visits his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -246 road favorites against a Sharks club that has lost five of their last six (1-5-0).

Smith will take a seat on Monday to allow Tye Fellhaber to make his NHL debut. Smith is yet to register a point in nine games this season split between the Sharks and Avalanche.

Blackwood was tremendous in his Colorado debut on Saturday, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and will return to the crease on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has a 2.95 GAA and .912 SV% in 20 games (7-9-3) and could be in line to pace for career-best totals if his first game with his new club is any indication. Colorado enters Monday's contest as -151 road favorites against a Vancouver club coming off a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Felhaber is an undrafted 26-year-old that was signed by the Avalanche last week. He will make his NHL debut on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. In 23 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season, Felhaber has 13 points (8G / 5A).

Blackwood was tremendous in his Colorado debut on Saturday, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has a 2.95 GAA and .912 SV% in 20 games (7-9-3) and could be in line to pace for career-best totals if his first game with his new club is any indication. Colorado enters Monday's contest as -151 road favorites against a Vancouver club coming off a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.