Blackwood last played on Nov. 3rd and left early due to a knee injury. Monday he was reassigned to Utica (AHL) on a conditioning basis. When he does return he will be hoping for better luck than his first seven games with the Devils, where he was 4-2-0 with a .880 SV% and 2.79 GAA.
Nichuskin has not played since October 25th due to a foot injury but is a game-time decision Friday to return to the injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche. Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old was one of the NHL's hottest players with seven goals, five assists and 26 SOG through only seven games to start the season.
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 five-games with the Avalanche and will hope for a call-up again soon to pick up his first career point in 15 GP when he does make his way back into the lineup.
Kelly will head to the press box as the odd man out for the second time this season as Ottawa takes on Dallas Thursday. Kelly has struggled this season, collecting only one assist, 18 PIMs and 16 SOG through 24 GP while playing limited minutes averaging 8:43 TOI.
Phillips has earned his second career call-up after absolutely tearing up the AHL with the Wranglers (AHL) as he is currently first in goals (15), 12th in assists (15) and 1st in the entire league in points (30). Phillips has only ever played one NHL game to date back in 2020-21, where he picked up two shots.
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.
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.
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.
Foudy has no points in three games since being called up from the AHL. He's day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, so look for Martin Kaut to draw back into the lineup to replace him.
Lehkonen was hurt in Boston on Saturday and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. With Lehkonen sidelined, Charles Hudon was recalled from the Avalanche and will make his debut on Monday. Alex Newhook will move up to the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
Hudon could make his Avalanche debut on Monday after being called up to (most likely) replace Artturi Lehkonen on Monday. Hudon has scored eight goals and eight assists (16 points) in 20 AHL games this season.
Lehkonen suffered an upper-body injury in Boston on Saturday and is questionable to play Monday. The Avalanche recalled Charles Hudon from the AHL on Sunday, a sign that Lehkonen will not be available.
Wood was a late scratch just before warmups Thursday and will miss his first game of the season due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old has six goals and 11 points along with a +9 plus/minus across 23 games this season.
