For the first time this season, the Sharks will defer from their goalie rotation and turn to Blackwood for a second straight game. The Sharks continue to search for the first victory of the season (0-5-2) and will hope Blackwood can help them get there after an excellent performance in his last outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, the Sharks enter action on Thursday as significant +262 road underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings club looking to respond from a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

The Sharks will continue their goalie rotation to start the season, turning to Blackwood between the pipes for the fourth time in seven games. In three games this season (0-1-2), the 27-year-old Blackwood has an ugly 4.88 GAA and .875 SV%. The Sharks are one of two teams without a win this season (0-4-2) and enter the action on Tuesday as +135 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks, who, despite a reasonable 2-2-1 record, are second-worst in the league offensively with only 12 goals scored.

Toews has been on Injured Reserve since October 14th and could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Toews has not played since the second game of the season and has one point (0G / 1A), three shots on goal, and a -2 plus/minus.

Olofsson has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury and will likely miss several more. The 29-year-old Olofsson had started his tenure with the Golden Knights in a positive way, scoring three goals in his first four games. Pavel Dorofeyev has been the main benefactor in Olofsson's absence, finding himself on the top powerplay unit in Vegas.

Toews' placement on IR is retroactive to October 14th, meaning he is not eligible to return for at least one more day. Toews has not played since the second game of the season and has one point (0G / 1A), three shots on goal, and a -2 plus/minus.

The Sharks will continue their early-season goalie rotation and return to Blackwood between the pipes for the third time in their first five games. Blackwood was excellent in his last outing, despite a 3-2 losing effort in a shootout to the Dallas Stars, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%). The Sharks are one of three teams without a win this season (0-2-2) and enter Friday's contest as significant +317 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets, one of three clubs without a loss this season (3-0-0).

Gushchin has not played since the opening night of the season but will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Friday as Will Smith will be a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Gushchin has four points (2G / 2A) in seven career NHL games..

Brendan Brisson is expected to draw into the lineup on Thursday if Olofsson (lower body) is unable to suit up. The 29-year-old Olofsson has started his tenure with the Golden Knights in a positive way, scoring three goals in his first four games.

Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. Toews' impending absence for a second straight game will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).

Stienburg was the 63rd overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Halifax native has amassed 16 points (6G / 10A) in 60 games over the last three seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Ivan has averaged 9:22 time-on-ice through his first three NHL games this season, scoring one points (0G / 1A). The undrafted 22-year-old has played on a line with Chris Wagner and Joel Kiviranta.

Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. If Toews cannot suit again, it will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

Toews was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Oliver Kylington will draw into the lineup in his place.

Barré-Boulet failed to record a point and recorded a -2 plus/minus rating in the first two games of the season and was subsequently placed on waivers on Sunday. He will report to the Laval Rocket (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday.

Barré-Boulet failed to record a point and was a minus-2 rating in the first two games of the season. He'll be replaced by Emil Heineman on the Canadiens' fourth line.