Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Middleton will slot in for Calvin de Haan, who is a healthy scratch on Friday. Middleton is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in 23 games this season.

Colorado has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1), and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Blackwood has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in five straight (1-3-1), posting a .874 SV%. He has a 2.28 GAA and .918 SV% in 17 games with the Avalanche this season (10-5-2). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against a St. Louis team outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Colorado has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1), and will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Blackwood has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in five straight (1-3-1), posting a .874 SV%. He has a 2.28 GAA and .918 SV% in 17 games with the Avalanche this season (10-5-2). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against a St. Louis team outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Recently recalled Adam Ginning will make his Flyers' season debut on Thursday, resulting in Johnson being a healthy scratch. The veteran Johnson is averaging 13:29 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 games this season.

Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback last week, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Calvin de Haan will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Tuesday against the New York Islanders, sending Middleton to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:25 time-on-ice, recording one points (0G / 1A), 15 blocks, and 38 hits in 23 games this season.

Colorado is coming off a roller-coaster 5-4 win over the New York Rangers and will roll with Blackwood between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Blackwood was outstanding to start his tenure with the Avalanche, allowing fewer than three goals in 12 straight (9-2-1) and posting a sublime .938 SV%. The 28-year-old netminder has not been as dominant since, allowing three or more in four straight (1-2-1), posting a .879 SV%. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a -135 road favorite against a New York team amid a four-game winning streak.

Colorado is coming off a roller-coaster 5-4 win over the New York Rangers and will roll with Blackwood between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Blackwood was outstanding to start his tenure with the Avalanche, allowing fewer than three goals in 12 straight (9-2-1) and posting a sublime .938 SV%. The 28-year-old netminder has not been as dominant since, allowing three or more in four straight (1-2-1), posting a .879 SV%. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a -135 road favorite against a New York team amid a four-game winning streak.