Girard has missed Colorado's previous six games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup Wednesday vs. Vancouver. The 24-year-old had a goal and three assists through 11 games prior to his injury while playing 18:16 ATOI.

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).

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).

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%.

Francouz was great in his previous start, stopping 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over Carolina. Through four starts, the Avalanche's backup has posted a 1-3-0 record with a .912 SV% and 2.55 GAA. He faces off against the same team he beat just five days ago, who has won two of their last three games after a 3-0 victory over Chicago last time out.

Wedgewood allowed four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a loss over a week ago vs. Winnipeg. The Stars' backup netminder has played admirably when called up with a 3-3-1 record and 3.21 GAA along with his .903 SV%. He faces the Florida Panthers who have won three of their last four games after a 5-2 victory over Washington their last time out.

Wedgewood allowed four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a loss over a week ago vs. Winnipeg. The Stars' backup netminder has played admirably when called up with a 3-3-1 record and 3.21 GAA along with his .903 SV%. He faces the Florida Panthers who have won three of their last four games after a 5-2 victory over Washington their last time out.

Blackwood is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks with an MCL sprain, so his move to IR opened up a roster spot to call-up Nico Daws. Vitek Vanecek was banged up on Thursday, so Daws is expected to serve as Akira Schmid's backup.

Ranta has previously played in 10 NHL games without picking up a point and posting a -4 plus/minus but will make his 2022-23 debut with the Avalanche Thursday. In 10 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) prior to his promotion, he had a goal and an assist along with eight PIMs and a -5 plus/minus rating.

With the Avalanche losing a few players due to injury earlier this week, Sampo Ranta has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL). In 10 AHL games played this year with the Eagles he has one goal and one assist and is a -5 plus/minus prior to his promotion.

Girard's lower-body injury comes as somewhat of a surprise after he played a season high 23:19 TOI in the Avalanche's second game in Finland Nov. 5th vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets his last time out. It is a tough blow for the injured Avalanche who also announced Bowen Byram is week-to-week earlier Tuesday.

Nichuskin will undergo ankle surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after missing the Avalanches' last four games. This is a terrible loss for the 27-year-old, who was enjoying the best season of his career to date prior to the injury, scoring seven goals and 12 points in his first seven games played.

Wedgwood won his third straight start his last time out, stopping 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 6-2 victory over the high scoring Edmonton Oilers. He has filled in admirably in the absence of Jake Oettinger (lower-body), posting a 3-2-1 record along with a .908 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He faces off against the surging Winnipeg Jets, who have won five of their last six games while still only ranking 20th in the NHL in GF/GP with 3.0.

Blackwood left the Devil's last game vs. Edmonton after 28:41 due to a knee injury. It was announced today that New Jersey's goaltender will miss the next 3-6 weeks with an MCL sprain to his knee. Blackwood had struggled prior to the injury, posting a 4-2-0 record along with a .880 SV% and 2.79 GAA. Vitek Vanecek will take the majority of the Devils' starts in the meantime.

Blackwood left the Devil's last game vs. Edmonton after 28:41 due to a knee injury. It was announced today that New Jersey's goaltender has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will meet with team doctors Tuesday for a further update. Blackwood had struggled prior to the injury, posting a 4-2-0 record along with a .880 SV% and 2.79 GAA. Vitek Vanecek will take the majority of the Devils' starts in the mean time.