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Colorado Avalanche News
Josh Manson will be out for a month after he was placed on the injured reserve (lower body).

Manson left the Avalanches' game on Dec. 1st vs. Buffalo with a lower-body injury after playing only 10:17 TOI. It is yet another injury for Colorado, which is without several key roster pieces. Manson has two goals, six points and 40 PIMs through 21 games this season.

Josh Manson
Sampo Ranta was recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Ranta had three goals, three assists and eight PIMs across 14 games with the Colorado Eagles prior to his promotion to the Avalanche Wednesday. Ranta failed to pick up a point in his previous four-game stint with the Avalanche a few weeks back and will hope to pick up his first career point in 14 GP when he does make his way back into the lineup.

Sampo Ranta
MacKinnon will miss approximately four weeks with an upper-body injury.

MacKinnon left Monday's game in Boston with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss at least one month. If MacKinnon is out for exactly four weeks, he'll miss 14 games and will be back around early-to-mid January. The Avalanche are incredibly banged up right now, so their lineup will likely be very fluid for the next few games.

Nathan MacKinnon
Ross Colton will return to the Lightning lineup vs. St. Louis (upper body).

Colton missed the Lightnings' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Friday vs. St. Louis. Prior to the injury, the three-year pro was having his best season to date with four goals and nine points along with 14 PIMs through 18 games this season.

Ross Colton
Pavel Francouz will start Wednesday vs. Vancouver.

Francouz was great for a second straight performance his last time out, stopping 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) as he stole a victory over Carolina. The Avalanche's backup has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2-3-0 record along with a .925 SV% and 2.42 GAA. He faces off against the struggle Vancouver Canucks who rank 23rd in the NHL in shots per game (30.2) but sixth in goals per game (3.47).

Pavel Francouz
Pavel Francouz is in the starters crease Wednesday for the Avalanche's morning skate.

Francouz was great for a second straight performance his last time out, stopping 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) as he stole a victory over Carolina. The Avalanche's backup has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2-3-0 record along with a .925 SV% and 2.42 GAA. He faces off against the struggle Vancouver Canucks who rank 23rd in the NHL in shots per game (30.2) but sixth in goals per game (3.47).

Pavel Francouz
Scott Wedgewood is day-to-day and is doubtful for Saturday's game vs. NYI.

Wedgewood was forced to leave the Stars' previous game on a stretcher after playing in just over half the game (34:05) but picking up the victory off 21 saves (.913 SV%). Dallas' backup goaltender has filled in admirably this season, posting a 4-3-1 record with his 3.23 GAA and .904 SV%.

Scott Wedgewood