Ludvig has not played since his NHL debut on October 24th when he suffered a concussion that has forced him to miss the last 11 games for the Penguins. Last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Ludvig had 17 points (3G / 14A) in 54 games.

Girard did not play on Monday due to personal reasons and will be away from the team again on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Girard has played 15 games this season, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his first 13 before tripling that with three points (2G / 1A) in his last two. Josh Manson entered the lineup on Monday to replace Girard.

Manson hasn't placed since November 11th due to the upper-body injury. Sitting in place of Manson will be Samuel Girard, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Manson has no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

Girard is a surprise scratch for Monday's game against the Predators, presumably due to an undisclosed injury. Girard has one goal and three assists across 15 games with the Avalanche this season. Josh Manson (upper-body) makes his return to the Avalanche lineup in place of Girard.

MacDonald hasn't played since November 4th, when he scored two points (1G / 1A), due to an undisclosed injury. He will return to the Sharks lineup on Monday and will likely play on the fourth line alongside Givani Smith and Ryan Carpenter.

The Sharks recorded their first victory of the season without Blackwood between the pipes on Friday but will turn back to him on Monday when they visit the Vancouver Canucks. Blackwood's 4.02 GAA and .898 SV% are nothing to marvel at but considering the circumstances of playing on a league-worst Sharks team, the 26-year-old goaltender has played admirably, making at least 38 saves in three of his last four contests (2-2-0) while posting a .929 SV%. Heroics of Blackwood aside, the Sharks are huge +318 road underdogs against a Canucks team that already beat the Sharks earlier this month by a whopping 10-1 score.

Jake Oettinger started the last three games for the Stars (2-1-0), allowing three or more goals in each, capped off by allowing five unanswered goals in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. As a result, Pete DeBoer and the Stars coaching staff have opted to rest Oettinger in Monday's contest against the New York Rangers, as Wedgewood will start for the fifth time this season. Wedgewood has been solid when called upon, posting a 3.02 GAA and .917 SV% through four games this season (3-1-0). That said, the Rangers have been tough to beat this season, winning 10 of their last 11 (10-0-1) while scoring four or more goals in five consecutive games (5-0-0).

Cogliano did not dress for Colorado's 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and wore a non-contact jersey at practice on Monday. Cogliano has three points (0G / 3A) in 12 games this season, averaging 10:02 time-on-ice.

Girard missed Colorado's previous game due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to the Avalanche lineup Wednesday vs. Anaheim. The 25-year-old defensemen is in his seventh NHL season and has an assist, 13 SOG, and a -8 plus/minus through 13 games played so far this season.

Manson remains day-to-day after missing Colorado's Monday night matchup against the Seattle Kraken and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday when the team takes on the Anaheim Ducks. The 10-year-veteran is averaging a career-low 15:59 time-on-ice through 13 games, nearly a full two minutes less than any previous season, while tallying one point (0G / 1A), 18 blocks, and 20 hits. The Avalanche has recalled defenceman Sam Malinski and Caleb Jones from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.

Ludvig played his first career game on October 24th but exited with only 5:29 time-on-ice after an awkward collision with Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa. Ludvig has not played since and will get the opportunity to play some games at the AHL level before potentially rejoining the team in Pittsburgh. Last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Ludvig had 17 points (3G / 14A) in 54 games.

Phillips played 13:52 time-on-ice Tuesday, only four seconds less than his season-high, as he made his way onto the Capitals second-line and second powerplay unit. He received a maintenance day on Wednesday and did not participate in practice after blocking a shot in the team's 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Phillips has four points (1G / 3A) in 14 games this season.

Blackwood will start for the 11th time in 16 games for the Sharks against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Sharks' struggles as the league-worst offence (1.20 GF / GP) and league-worst defence (4.40 GA / GP) have been well documented this season, but nearly as astonishing has been the play of Blackwood between the pipes. Despite the Sharks' inability to compete in most games, Blackwood has recorded a quality start in 60% of his games. His .900 SV% speaks volumes to his level of play this season but hopes for a win remain low as the Sharks are +241 home underdogs on Tuesday.

Malinski made his NHL debut Monday and was a +1 plus/minus across 17 shifts and 12:02 TOI but will head back to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) Monday. The 25-year-old rookie defensemen returns to the Eagles, where he had three goals, six points and two PIMS in 13 games prior to his promotion.