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Colorado Avalanche News
Drouin (lower body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday vs. Edmonton.

Drouin was a late scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence until before warmups. Caleb Jones drew into the lineup on Wednesday as the Avalanche opted to dress seven defensemen. Drouin has six points (2G / 4A) in his last seven games.

Jonathan Drouin
MacDonald (undisclosed) will not play in Thursday's game against the Penguins.

Sharks head coach Dan Quinn stated earlier today that multiple Sharks were dealing with an illness, so that is what's likely holding MacDonald out of the lineup. Kevin Labanc will draw in as the Sharks will be forced to dress 13 forwards and only five defensemen.

Jacob MacDonald
Georgiev will start in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Georgiev will be back between the pipes for the Avalanche on Wednesday after Justus Annunen got the nod in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Flames. Georgiev's last appearance came on Friday against the Wild, when he allowed just a single goal on 30 shots as Colorado managed to pick up the overtime victory over the Wild. Georgiev owns a rather disappointing .901 SV% on the season but has still managed a 33-15-3 record thanks to some outstanding goal support. He'll have his hands full on Wednesday when he and the Avs travel to Vancouver to take on the leaders of the Western Conference.

Alexandar Georgiev
Lehkonen (illness) will miss Tuesday's game vs. Calgary.

Lehkonen has been absent from the last two practices and will not play against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old Lehkonen has been tremendous lately, tallying 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 12 games. Valeri Nichushkin is expected to take Lehkonen's spot on the top powerplay unit.

Artturi Lehkonen
Annunen will start on Tuesday vs. Calgary.

Annunen has started two of the last five games for the Avalanche and will return to the crease on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has only allowed two total goals across his last three games (2-0-1) and is riding a two-game shutout streak, saving 61 consecutive shots. Colorado enters action as a -164 road favourite against the Calgary Flames.

Justus Annunen
Annunen is in the starter's crease at Colorado's morning skate.

Annunen has started two of the last five games for the Avalanche and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has only allowed two total goals across his last three games (2-0-1) and is riding a two-game shutout streak, saving 61 consecutive shots. Colorado enters action as a -164 road favourite against the Calgary Flames.

Justus Annunen
Annunen (illness) is questionable to backup Alexandar Georgiev on Friday vs. Minnesota.

Annunen has earned more time between the crease lately, starting two of the last four games for the Avalanche, but might be sidelined on Friday due to an illness. Annunen is riding a two-game shutout streak, both against the Chicago Blackhawks, saving 61 consecutive shots.

Justus Annunen
Mittelstadt is expected to make his Colorado debut on Friday vs. Minnesota.

After trading Ryan Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Avalanche filled their center-ice gap by acquiring Mittelstadt via trade from the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Mittelstadt was enjoying his best season with the Sabres, with 47 points (14G / 33A) in 62 games.

Casey Mittelstadt