Malinski will draw into the lineup on Tuesday along with Parker Kelly and Logan O'Connor as the Avalanche opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Erik Johnson, Miles Wood, and Jimmy Vesey will all be scratched.
Blackwood will get the nod between the pipes for the Avs on Tuesday after Scott Wedgewood picked up a shutout in the front-end of their back-to-back in Chicago on Monday. Blackwood is in the midst of a personal four-game winning streak, most recently guiding the Avalanche to a 7-4 victory over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. The 28-year-old netminder has been outstanding since joining Colorado earlier this season, posting an 18-7-2 record and a .917 SV%. He's a good bet to stay in the win column tonight as the Avalanche enter action at -150 on the money line.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Colorado will turn to Wedgewood between the pipes on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Wedgewood was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has a 2.23 GAA and .916 SV% in 11 appearances with Colorado this season (6-4-0). Colorado enters the action on Monday as enormous -515 home favorites against a Chicago team with points in five straight (4-0-1).
Malinski was excellent in Colorado's previous game, recording two assists in a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but will be a healthy scratch on Monday to accommodate Erik Johnson's re-debut with the team. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice and has nine points (2G / 7A) in 60 games this season.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Colorado will likely turn to Wedgewood between the pipes on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Wedgewood was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has a 2.23 GAA and .916 SV% in 11 appearances with Colorado this season (6-4-0). Colorado enters the action on Monday as enormous -515 home favorites against a Chicago team with points in five straight (4-0-1).
Olofsson is battling a lower-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 29-year-old Olofsson is averaging 14:46 time-on-ice and has 22 points (11G / 11A) in 40 games this season.
After being rumored in a trade all season, Nelson has been dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Nelson averaged 19:21 time-on-ice and scored 43 points (20G / 23A) in 61 games this season. He scored 20 or more goals in nine of his 12 seasons in New York and will provide some much needed depth down the middle for Colorado. Nelson will likely suit up on Colorado's second line with Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin.
With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 59 games this season.
Middleton has not played since February 22nd but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:45 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in a career-high 28 games this season.
Manson has not played since February 4th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season.
Colorado has outscored their opposition 14-4 during a three-game winning streak and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes in a meeting against his former club, the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been excellent since joining Colorado, posting a 2.12 GAA, .921 SV%, and two shutouts in 25 games (16-7-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as enormous -396 home favorites against a Sharks team on a rare two-game winning streak.
Solovyov has played five games with the Flames this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) and averaging 15:40 time-on-ice, but will return to the AHL. The 24-year-old defenseman has 21 points (6G / 15A) in 43 games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) this season.
Manson has not played since February 4th, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season.
Necas was battling nausea in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing only 15:23 time-on-ice. His status is unclear for Colorado's next contest on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Necas has been terrific since joining the Avalanche, scoring 13 points (4G / 9A) in 13 games.
Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Colorado snapped a two-game losing skid in their most recent outing, an impressive 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils when Blackwood saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%). The 28-year-old Blackwood will likely return to Colorado's crease on Friday, looking to build on his 2.12 GAA and .922 SV% through 24 games (15-7-2) with the team. Colorado enters Friday's contest as significant -315 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild squad that lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club last night.
