Wedgewood will get the nod on Thursday after Jake Oettinger started the front half of the Stars' back-to-back on Wednesday. It will be Wedgewood's first appearance since allowing four goals on 36 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Flames on November 30th. Dallas' backup owns a 4-1-1 record and a .911 SV% on the season. He draws a favourable matchup on Thursday with the Stars being -140 road favourites in Washington.

Makar did not play on Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest late in the third period with a lower-body injury and missed a second game on Tuesday. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and has been cleared to return to the lineup on Thursday when the Avs play host to the Jets. Makar has been otherworldly from the Avalanche blueline this season, scoring 34 points (7G / 27A) and a +18 plus/minus through 23 games.

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.

Despite being held without a point, Olausson was active in his season debut for the Avalanche, firing two shots and taking one hit. His reassignment to the Eagles (AHL) coincides with Jared Bednar announcing that Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Bowen Byram will all play tonight.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cogliano will not play on Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury. The 36-year-old veteran has seven points (3G / 4A) in 21 games this season, averaging 10:31 time-on-ice. Oskar Olausson is expected to make his season debut in Cogliano's absence.

Olausson has one NHL game under his belt, last season with the Avalanche, being held without a point in the effort, and will play his second in his season debut on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28th overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL this season.

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.

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.

Olausson has one NHL game under his belt, last season with the Avalanche, being held without a point in the effort. The 28th overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL this season.

Phillips will draw back into the lineup after missing two games, replacing healthy scratch Evgeny Kuznetsov. In 16 games this season, the 25-year-old Phillips has four points (1G / 3A), averaging 10:51 time-on-ice.

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.

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.