Cogliano hasn't played since December 17th, missing Colorado's last two games due to the undisclosed injury. He has three goals and six assists in 27 games this season.

Lehkonen has not yet been cleared for contact, but his presence, skating at practice, is a promising sign for a team without him for 21 games. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including top powerplay deployment. Valeri Nischushkin has been the main benefactor, occupying Lehkonen's offensive deployment, scoring 24 points (13G / 11A) in 19 games since.

Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.

Makar has struggled to stay in the lineup lately, playing only four of the last nine games for Colorado, and was a game-time decision after being a full participant at practice on Thursday. Makar is among the league leaders for defensemen, scoring 37 points (8G / 29A) in 27 games this season.

Makar has struggled to stay in the lineup lately, playing only four of the last nine games for Colorado, but will be a game-time decision after being a full participant at practice on Thursday. Makar is among the league leaders for defensemen, scoring 37 points (8G / 29A) in 27 games this season.

Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will likely return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.

Girard returned to practice, skating as an extra, for the first time after entering the players' assistance program nearly one month ago. Girard has played 15 games this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in his first 13 before tripling that with three points (2G / 1A) in his last two games. During Girard's absence, Josh Manson has seen a significant uptick in usage and production.

Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.

Cogliano played 11:52 time-on-ice in his last game and recorded an assist along with three shots on goal but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and will be out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 36-year-old Cogliano has nine points (3G / 6A) in 27 games this season.

Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will likely return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.

Makar has not played since exiting Colorado's December 13th contest against the Buffalo Sabres after playing only 17:21 and will miss his third straight contest on Tuesday. Makar has been outstanding this season, scoring 37 points (8G / 29A) in 27 games but will not play for the fifth time in the last nine games as injuries are beginning to become a concern for the elite defenseman. Devon Toews has manned the blueline on the powerplay in Makar's absence.

With Evgeny Kuznetsov set to miss Thursday's game with an illness, Phillips will retake his spot in the lineup after sitting out each of the last two games. Phillips has just one goal to go along with four assists in 18 games with the Capitals this season. He'll start the game alongside Joe Snively and T.J. Oshie on Washington's third line.