Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Toews was hit high by Dallas' captain Jamie Benn in the second period of Game 2 and was forced to leave before returning in the third period and is not feeling any effects on Friday according to head coach Jared Bednar. The 30-year-old has been a staple on Colorado's back-end all playoffs, with a goal, five points, 10 SOG and +5 plus/minus while averaging 23:49 TOI/GP.
Kiviranta missed the Avalanche's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury and is a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Dallas after missing practice on Monday. The 28-year-old averaged 10:14 TOI/GP in the opening series and had an assist, two PIMs, three SOG and a +2 plus/minus in three games.
Kiviranta did not play Sunday's 5-1 game-four victory over the Winnipeg Jets and could miss a second straight game. In the series' first three games, Kiviranta tallied one assist and nine hits while averaging 10:14 ice time.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and was considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but appears ready to return. Caleb Jones will sit in his place.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and is considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but is on the cusp of returning. If he is unable to go, Caleb Jones will continue to lock down Colorado's third defensive pairing role.
Girard has participated in the past few practices but will likely need at least one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last played on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.
Girard was a full participant in the morning skate on Sunday but will be out for Game 1 vs. Winnipeg as he takes one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last appeared on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.
Francouz did not participate in the 2023-24 season due to a groin injury and has announced his retirement from the NHL. Francouz battled injuries last season as well, recording a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% while playing in only 16 games (8-7-1). The 33-year-old Francouz ends his career with a 2.49 GAA, .919 SV%, and four shutouts in 73 games (44-21-6).
Philadelphia's season ended Tuesday, so Ronnie Attard has been reassigned to Lehigh-Valley for their playoff run. The 25-year-old defenseman appeared in only 12 games for the Flyers this season and had two assists, 14 SOG, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Nikita Okhotiuk will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Solovyov to re-enter the lineup. Solovyov has two points (0G / 2A), 11 hits, and 13 blocks in eight games this season.
Olofsson has been a healthy scratch for the previous four games but will draw back into the lineup on Monday vs. Tampa Bay as he takes the spot of Lukas Rousek. The 28-year-old has struggled all season, leading to his least productive season since joining the NHL in 2018-19, with seven goals, eight assists, 66 SOG and four PIMs in 50 games played.
MacDonald missed the Sharks' previous game due to an undisclosed injury and will miss the remainder of the regular season after not travelling with the team on their road trip on Monday. The 31-year-old ends his 2023-24 with a career-high seven goals and 34 games played, alongside his two assists, 49 SOG and 23 PIMs.
Brindley was the 34th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old had an impressive 2023-24 campaign with the University of Michigan, scoring 53 points (25G / 28A) in 40 games.
