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

Blackwood allowed six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-5 loss to the New York Rangers, an outlier in a mostly positive stretch of play for the Sharks Netminder. In his three games before (1-1-1), Blackwood allowed only six total goals and posted a .937 SV%. That said, the Sharks are considerable +251 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings team that ranks third-best in the league offensively (3.79 GF / GP) and will welcome Patrick Kane to the lineup for his debut with the team.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Nichushkin (illness) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Ducks.

Nichuskin is battling an illness and will not play on Tuesday. The Avalanche, already without Cale Makar, will be hurting without the offensive talents of Nichushkin, who has been tremendous lately, posting 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 11 games playing predominantly on the top line and top powerplay unit.

Valeri Nichushkin
Makar (lower-body)

Makar did not play on Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest late in the third period with a lower-body injury. He was a limited participant at morning skate on Tuesday and was a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. His next chance to return to the lineup will be Thursday when the Avs play host to the Jets.

Cale Makar
Valeri Nichuskin (illness) is expected to play Tuesday but will be a game-time decision vs. Anaheim.

Nichuskin is battling an illness but is hopeful to play on Tuesday. The Avalanche, already without Cale Makar, can ill afford to lose the offensive talents of Nichushkin, who has been tremendous lately, posting 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 11 games playing predominantly on the top line and top powerplay unit.

Valeri Nichushkin
Ilya Solovyov will draw back into the Flames' lineup Tuesday vs. Minnesota.

Solovyov hasn't played since consecutive games on October 26th and 29th, his only two career NHL games, but will return to the Flames lineup on Tuesday as Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch. In two games, Solovyov averaged 16:35 time-on-ice, had one block, and two hits.

Ilya Solovyov
Cale Makar (lower body) took part in Tuesday's morning skate and is doubtful to play but will be a game-time decision.

Makar did not play on Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest late in the third period with a lower-body injury. He was a limited participant at morning skate on Tuesday and will presumably be a game-time decision ahead of the evening matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Makar is currently pacing for the best season of his career, with 34 points (7G / 27A) and a +18 plus/minus through 23 games. If Makar is unable to play on Tuesday, expect Devon Toews to assume his role on the top powerplay unit.

Cale Makar
Brock Nelson (undisclosed) will play Tuesday vs. San Jose after originally being a game-time decision.

Nelson scored two points (0G / 2A) on Saturday against the Florida Panthers but exited the game with an undisclosed injury after playing 15:04 time-on-ice. Nelson did not participate in practice on Monday but has been deemed ready to play on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Nelson's two-point outburst on Saturday ended a three-game pointless skid for the 11-year veteran.

Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson is considered day-to-day after leaving the Islanders' previous game vs. Florida early and is not practicing Monday.

Nelson scored two points (0G / 2A) on Saturday against the Florida Panthers but exited the game with an undisclosed injury after playing 15:04 time-on-ice. Nelson did not participate in practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day ahead of the Islanders' next contest on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Nelson's two-point outburst on Saturday ended a three-game pointless skid for the 11-year veteran.

Brock Nelson
Blackwood will start in New York on Sunday.

Blackwood will get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took home the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Mackenzie Blackwood was the first goalie off the ice at the Sharks' morning skate.

Blackwood is expected to get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took him the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Ilya Solovyov has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Solovyov has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL, likely to add some depth to their defensive core after Nikita Zadorov was traded yesterday to the Vancouver Canucks. The 23-year-old Solovyov was drafted 205th overall by the Flames in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has five points (2G / 3A), a +5 plus/minus rating, and 12 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Wranglers this season.

Ilya Solovyov
Scott Wedgewood will start Thursday at Calgary.

Wedgewood will return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.

Scott Wedgewood
Scott Wedgwood was the first goalie off the ice at Dallas' morning skate.

Wedgewood will likely return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood will start Thursday in Boston.

Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.

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

Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.

Mackenzie Blackwood