Francouz has been out since February 7th due to a lower-body injury and it was announced Friday will miss close to a month. The 32-year-old Avalanche backup has been steady all season, with his 7-7-1 record, .919 SV% and 2.53 GAA.

Makar was a full participant in Friday's team practice and will now be a game-time decision Saturday vs. St. Louis due to a head injury. Makar has missed the Avalanche's previous five games but still has 13 goals and 45 points in 45 games this season.

Makar remains day-to-day with a head injury that he suffered on February 7th in Pittsburgh. He'll miss his fourth straight game on Wednesday and is considered questionable to re-join the lineup during the Avs' back-to-back on the weekend.

Makar took a blindside hit to the head from Penguins' forward Jeff Carter late in the game last Tuesday which has caused the 2022 Norris Trophy winner to miss the Avalanche's last two games and he will not return Tuesday as they take on Tampa Bay. Colorado will hope their star defenseman is only forced to miss a minimum amount of time as he has 13 goals and 45 points in 45 games this season.

Francouz has been solid in Colorado's backup role with his 7-7-1 record, 2.53 GAA and .919 SV% this season but is not considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Jonas Johansson has been recalled as his replacement in the meantime.

Blackwood allowed five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) for his fourth loss in five games as he was defeated by Nashville in his previous start. The Devils' backup net minder has been shaken when called up this season, with his 6-4-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Islanders but are fifth in the NHL in goals per game (3.54).

Makar took a blindside hit to the head from Penguins' forward Jeff Carter late in the game Tuesday which will now cause the 2022 Norris Trophy winner to miss the Avalanche's next two games. Colorado will hope their star defensemen is only forced to miss a minimum amount of time as he has 13 goals and 45 points in 45 games this season.

Blackwood allowed five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) for his fourth loss in five games as he was defeated by Nashville in his previous start. The Devils' backup net minder has been shaken when called up this season, with his 6-4-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Islanders but are fifth in the NHL in goals per game (3.54).

Kiviranta is expected to miss an extended period of time with a lower-body injury. Kiviranta does not need surgery but the Stars do not have a timeline on his return. Marian Studenic was recalled from the AHL on Tuesday and will replace him in the lineup on Wednesday.

Francouz allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) to snap a four-game winning streak as he was defeated by Anaheim in his previous start. The Avalanche's backup netminder has been solid when called upon yet again this season, with his 7-7-0 record, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost three of their last four games after a 6-4 loss to San Jose in their last game.

Nichuskin missed the Avalanche's previous two games with an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as they take on Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old has played great throughout his injury-riddled campaign in 2022-23, with eight goals, 10 assists, 63 SOG and a +6 plus/minus through 20 games prior to his latest knock.

Nichuskin missed the Avalanche's previous game and is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is questionable to play vs. St. Louis Saturday. The 27-year-old has played well when healthy, with his 8 goals, 10 assists, 63 SOG, and +6 plus/minus through 20 games prior to his most recent injury.

MacDonald was acquired from the Avalanche on Wednesday and will make his debut Friday in Carolina. It's unclear who MacDonald will replace in the lineup because the Sharks reportedly have a couple of players under the weather.