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Colorado Avalanche News
Blackwood will start vs. Ottawa on Wednesday.

With Yaroslav Askarov sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), the Sharks crease return to Blackwood. The 27-year-old Blackwood is having a fine season between the pipes for a defensively-prone Sharks club, posting a 3.07 GAA and .907 SV% in 14 games (4-7-3). That said, the Sharks enter Wednesday's contest as +181 home underdogs against an Ottawa Senators squad that snapped a five-game losing skid in their previous game, a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood will start in Dallas on Wednesday.

Despite the Sharks recalling high-pedigree prospect Yaroslav Askarov from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) on Monday, the Sharks will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a second straight game. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been stellar between the pipes lately, posting a .929 SV% in his previous six outings (3-2-1). The Sharks enter the action on Wednesday as significant +393 road underdogs against the Stars but nearly defeated them in their meeting on October 15th when Blackwood saved 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood will start against the Red Wings on Monday.

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +125 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

Mackenzie Blackwood
Blackwood was the first goalie off the ice at San Jose's morning skate.

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will likely serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +129 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

Mackenzie Blackwood
Miner has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and will back up on Friday vs. Washington.

With Alexandar Georgiev sidelined, day-to-day, due to an upper-body injury, the Avalanche have recalled Miner from the Colorago Eagles (AHL) to back up Justus Annunen. The 23-year-old Miner has never played an NHL game and has a 2.34 GAA and .905 SV% in six games with the Eagles this season (3-2-1).

Trent Miner
Nichushkin will make his season debut vs. Washington on Friday.

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.

Valeri Nichushkin
Wedgewood will start in Edmonton on Thursday.

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.

Scott Wedgewood