Calvin de Haan will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Middleton to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, nine blocks, and 13 hits in nine games this season.
Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday and Tuesday, expecting to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.
Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche earlier this month, posting a superb 1.82 GAA and .940 SV% in five games (4-1-0). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -202 home favorites against a Jets club that played last night, defeating the Nashville Predators 3-0.
Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday due to an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.
Drouin has missed the last 16 games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Drouin has four points (2G / 2A) in five games this season. He was working with the top powerplay unit at practice on Monday.
Drury has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury on December 10th. The 24-year-old Drury is averaging 13:09 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) in 28 games this season. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has seen his deployment increase since Drury has been sidelined.
Manson has not played since November 29th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against Utah. Before his injury, the 33-year-old Manson was averaging 17:52 time-on-ice and had six points (1G / 5A) in 24 games.
Fresh off of signing a five-year contract extension, Blackwood will be between the pipes for Colorado on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose, but has been tremendous since joining Colorado, posting a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV% in four games (3-1-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -130 road favorites against Utah.
Blackwood was acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks nearly three weeks ago and has been excellent since his debut with Colorado. Blackwood has a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV%, earning himself a five-year contract extension after only four games with the Avalanche (3-1-0). The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said he is hopeful that Manson will return to the lineup after the Christmas break.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said Drouin is making improvements but still has no timeline for his return.
The former Swedish Hockey League winger is set to make his NHL debut after signing with the Avs in the off-season. Innala's North American career is off to a productive start, as he's racked up five goals and ten assists in 21 AHL games this season.
Wagner will take a seat on Friday as the Avs opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jere Innala will draw into the lineup in his place.
Wedgewood will make his fifth start as a member of the Avalanche when Colorado travels to Anaheim to take on the Ducks on Friday. Wedgewood took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 22 shots in a 4-1 defeat against Utah. The 32-year-old netminder has posted a 3-2-0 record and an impressive .931 SV% in five appearances since being acquired from the Stars. He’s got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Friday, as the Avs enter action at -215 on the money line.
