Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and will make his season debut on Friday, his first day of eligibility. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup. Nichushkin is expected to play on a line with Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt.

Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, missing 16 consecutive contests, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season. That said, at least to start, Drouin will be on the second line, away from his familiar spot alongside Nathan MacKinnon.

Wedgewood will make just his fourth start of the season when the Predators travel to Edmonton on Thursday. Wedgewood's last appearance came on November 7th in Florida. He allowed six goals on 34 shots as the Predators fell to the Panthers by a score of 6-2. Wedgewood owns a 1-2-0 record and a disappointing .841 SV% on the season. He and the Predators enter action on Thursday as +145 underdogs in Edmonton.

The Sharks will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

The Sharks will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Blackwood has won three of his last four outings (3-1-0) and is coming off unquestionably his best performance of the season, a 44-save shutout in a 1-0 win over his former team, the New Jersey Devils. That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as enormous +359 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.

Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, missing 16 consecutive contests, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season.

Wood has not played since October 28th but appears to be nearing an imminent return the the lineup after being activated from Injured Reserve. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice. He and Jonathan Drouin (upper body), also activated from IR, could both be options to return to the lineup on Friday.

Wood has not played since October 28th but appears to be nearing an imminent return the the lineup. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice. He and Jonathan Drouin (upper body) could both be options to return to the lineup on Friday.

Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, and will miss a 16th consecutive contest on Wednesday. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season, and could return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals.

Calvin de Haan will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Monday, resulting in Ludvig being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Ludvig, in his first season with Colorado, has two points (0G / 2A) and is averaging 12:42 time-on-ice through five games.

de Haan did not play on Saturday but will re-enter the lineup on Monday, replacing John Ludvig. In his first season with Colorado, the 33-year-old de Haan has one points (0G / 1A), 24 blocks, and 16 hits in 12 games.

Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and will make his season debut on November 15th, his first day of eligibility, as per head coach Jared Bednar. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.

Wood has not played since October 28th but appears to be nearing an imminent return the the lineup. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.

Blackwood has not played the last two games for the Sharks but will return to the crease on Sunday in a matchup against his former team, the New Jersey Devils. In eight games this season (2-4-2), Blackwood has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV%. The Sharks enter Sunday's contest as sizeable +299 road underdogs against the Devils.