Blackwood will return to the crease on Thursday night, his first game since January 30th. The 27-year-old Blackwood has quietly won his last three games, his best streak of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest while posting a stellar .948 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +275 road underdogs against the Calgary Flames, winners of four of their last five (4-1-0).
Matthew Phillips had predominantly been an AHL player but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Capitals. In 27 games with the club, he registered five points (1G / 4A) while averaging 10:16 time-on-ice.
O'Connor was a late scratch for Tuesday's game, with the team not announcing his absence before warmups. His timeline does not appear to be longterm but he will be out of the lineup again on Thursday.
O'Connor was a late scratch for Tuesday's game, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. There is no timetable for his return, though it does not appear to be a long-term injury.
MacKinnon fell awkwardly on his face and exited Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers but will return to the lineup on Tuesday. MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.
Head coach Jared Bednar stated that MacKinnon "should be good to go tomorrow" after missing practice Monday due to a chin injury which caused him to leave their game vs. Florida early. The Avalanche' will hope the injury does not linger as MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.
Malinski will sit in favour of Jack Johnson on Thursday. Malinski has three goals and seven assists in 23 games this season.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Phillips to re-enter the lineup. Phillips has not played since January 3rd and has five points (1G / 4A) in 26 games this season.
Wedgewood takes the crease for the first time in five games as he will give Jake Oettinger a rest on the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday. The 31-year-old backup has won this season despite his mediocre counting stats with his 13-4-4 record, 2.98 GAA and .899 SV%. He heads back to his hometown to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have lost six of their last ten games but are ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.42).
Malinski will re-enter the lineup in place of Jack Johnson, who is listed as a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game in New Jersey. Malinski will skate alongside Bowen Byram on Colorado's third pair.
Malinski missed one game for the Avalanche as he was returned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) but has been recalled again Monday. The 25-year-old was having an impressive season in his first taste of the big leagues, with three goals, 10 points, 29 SOG, and a +4 plus/minus in 22 games played.
Parise was most recently with the Islanders in 2022-23, when he tallied 21 goals and 13 assists (34 points) in 82 games. The 18-year veteran has 879 career points (429G / 450A) in 1224 regular season games with the Wild, Devils and Islanders. Parise is expected to slot in on a line with Artturi Lehkonen and Ryan Johansen.
Johnson last played on January 18th and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Before his injury, Johnson was held off the scoresheet in seven straight games while tallying seven shots and 16 hits.
Ludvig has not played since December 31st, 2023 due to an upper-body injury but looks just about ready to return as he is a game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg. The 23-year-old was originally claimed off waivers by the Penguins to begin the season and has an assist, 12 SOG, 23 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus in 19 games before the ailment.
MacDonald hasn't played since December 23rd, 2023 due to a lower-body injury and was activated from the Injured Reserve Monday with expectations to return to the lineup Tuesday vs. Seattle. The 30-year-old Swiss army knife had appeared in 17 games prior to his injury, picking up six goals, seven points, and a -10 plus/minus.
