Nichushkin will not play on Thursday due to a lower-body injury, his first time exiting the lineup since returning from the NHL Player's Assistance Program. The 29-year-old Nichushkin hasn't missed a beat, scoring eight points (4G / 4A) in his last eight games but has been held off the scoresheet in two straight.
Kiviranta did not participate in the morning skate on Thursday due to an illness and will remain out of the lineup for the Avalanche. Kiviranta has not played since March 13th and will miss his sixth straight contest on Thursday.
The Avalanche saw their nine-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday in a surprising 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens with Justus Annunen between the pipes. Georgiev will return to the crease on Thursday, looking to extend his winning streak to seven games. The Avalanche enter action as -150 home favourites against Georgiev's former squad, the New York Rangers, whom he has a 1.56 GAA and .952 SV% against in three career games (1-0-2).
Kylington has been a regular in the lineup since making his season debut in January but could miss his first game since then due to an undisclosed ailment. The 26-year-old Kylington has five points (2G / 3A) while averaging 16:44 of time-on-ice through 24 games this season.
MacDonald played the last six games for the Sharks but only averaged slightly above 10 minutes of ice time in his last two contests. The 31-year-old defenseman has eight points (6G / 2A), 34 hits, and 17 blocks in 30 games this season.
Colorado is dealing with an injury bug as Samuel Girard and Joel Kiviranta missed practice on Wednesday, so Jean-Luc Foudy has been recalled ahead of Thursday's game to provide depth in Tcase either of the players cannot play. The 21-year-old has appeared in one game this season and was incredibly efficient, scoring his first career goal off two SOG and 10:20 TOI.
The Capitals recalled Phillips just three days after assigning him to Hershey on Sunday. Phillips has one goal and four assists in 31 games split between the Capitals and Penguins this season.
de Haan will unfortunately be the odd-man out of Tampa Bay's lineup on Wednesday vs. Boston as Victor Hedman returns from a lower-body injury and one-game absence. The 32-year-old de Haan has found himself in the Lightning lineup on most nights and has performed solid with his modest three goals, eight points, 56 SOG and 20 PIMs through 57 games played.
Ludvig appears to be the odd-man out on Tuesday as Ryan Graves is set to return to the Penguins' lineup. Ludvig has three goals and two assists in 32 games this season.
Annunen has been rewarded for his stellar play lately, signing a two-year, $1.666 million contract extension. The 24-year-old Annunen has won four straight and has been tremendous when called upon lately, allowing only seven total goals in his last five games (4-0-1), posting a dazzling .954 SV%.
The Avalanche have begun rotating their netminders, starting Annunen once every three games over the last month, a trend that wil continue on Tuesday. Annunen has won four straight and has been tremendous when called upon, allowing only seven total goals in his last five games (4-0-1), posting a dazzling .954 SV%. The Avalanche enter action as enormous -412 home favourites against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Avalanche have begun rotating their netminders, starting Annunen once every three games over the last month, a trend that will likely continue on Tuesday. Annunen has won four straight and has been tremendous when called upon, allowing only seven total goals in his last five games (4-0-1), posting a dazzling .954 SV%. The Avalanche enter action as enormous -412 home favourites against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Avalanche are riding a seven-game winning streak and will turn back to Georgiev in the crease after giving him the night off in their last contest. Georgiev has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight, including saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Colorado enters action on Friday as a significant -390 home favourite against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Phillips has not played a game with the Capitals since February 22nd but could draw back into their lineup on Friday in anticipation of a lengthy suspension for Tom Wilson. In 27 games with the Capitals this season, Phillips has five points (1G / 4A).
