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).

Wagner played 12 games with the Avalanche this season, scoring one point (1G / 0A), but will report to the Eagles (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 33-year-old Wagner has 66 points (39G / 27A) in 385 career NHL games.

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).

Wood has not played since October 28th but, after being activated from Injured Reserve, will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice. Wood joins Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) as players making long-awaited returns to the lineup.

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.

Jamie Drysdale will serve as a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Johnson re-enter the lineup for the first time since November 2nd. The 36-year-old Johnson is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice, the lowest of his 17-year career, and has one point (0G / 1A) in 10 games this season.

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.