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.
Helm has yet to play this season but is on the mend now that he has completed abductor surgery. The 2021-22 Stanley Cup Champion has 266 points across 812 career NHL games played.
de Haan was forced to take a seat in the press box Wednesday but will find his way back into the lineup vs. the Oilers Thursday. In seven games so far in 2022-23, he has one goal and a -2 plus/minus rating.
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.
Smith has been a fringe roster player for the Red Wings for the last three seasons, appearing in 85 NHL games and 69 AHL games since 2020. He has no points in two NHL games this season but two points (1G / 1A) in seven games with Grand Rapids (AHL).
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.
Nichuskin has missed the Avalanche's last two games due to a lower-body injury but was on the ice for warmups Friday in Finland before heading off prematurely. He is now announced out for Friday's game and will be reevaluated before their second game Saturday. He shares the Avalanche lead in points alongside Nathan MacKinnon with 12 points (7G/5A) in seven games.
Nichushkin has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was skating on the top line and top power-play unit in Thursday's practice. Head coach Jared Bednar called him a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Avalanche hit the ice in Finland at 1:30 PM ET.
Blackwood stopped 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in his last start. Despite his 4-2-0 record, the netminder has struggled this season with a .879 SV% and 2.67 GAA. He draws the tough task of taking on Edmonton, who ranks third in the NHL in goals per game (4.1) and is coming off a 7-4 win over Nashville.
de Haan has not played since October 22nd due to an undisclosed injury. In four games this season, he has one goal and is a -1 plus/minus while averaging 12:18 TOI.
Wedgewood stopped 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) to earn his first victory of the season in a 5-2 win over LA Tuesday. Through four games, he has a .895 SV% and 3.64 GAA to go along with his 1-2-1 record. He faces off against the Arizona Coyotes who are last in the NHL in shots per game averaging only 22.3.
