

Landeskog was scratched in Wednesday's game against the Penguins. Landeskog was expected to play but did not come out for warmups and ended up being scratched with Mikhail Grigorenko returning to the lineup. Consider Landeskog as day-to-day until the Avalanche release more information.

After serving a two game suspension, Landeskog will be back on the Avs’ top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene on Thursday. Landeskog’s return means less minutes for Mikhail Grigorenko—Colorado’s captain has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games.

Manson missed Monday’s game with an illness and head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he will be a “game-time decision at best” tonight. Korbinian Holzer replaced Manson last night and could play there again tonight.




Nichushkin served as a healthy scratch in the last two games, but with injuries to Patrick Eaves, Curtis McKenzie and Travis Moen, the Stars will put Nichushkin back in the lineup on Saturday. The 20-year-old winger, who had five shots on goal in the first two games, will skate on the second line with Jason Spezza and Colton Sceviour vs. the Panthers.

Nichushkin played just 10:38 on Saturday and so far this season he has no points and five shots through two games. With Nichushkin expected to sit, look for Colton Sceviour to make his season debut.

McKinnon has played the majority of his young career on the wing, but if they use MacKinnon in the middle it allows the Avalanche to give 18-year-old Mikko Rantanen a shot in the NHL and opens the door for Curtis Glencross and Jack Skille a chance to make the team on PTO’s. If MacKinnon indeed ends up on the third line, look for Rantanen and Blake Comeau to play on his wings.

Nelson, 23, had two goals in Game 1, but has been held off of the scoresheet, while only recording two shots and a minus-2 rating in the last three games. With Mikhail Grabovski coming back tonight, Nelson will get a chance to watch the game from the press box.

Nichushkin was held out of the lineup on Monday, but he will be back in the lineup tonight and is expected to play on the top line and see power-play time. He has one assist and a minus-2 rating in two games since returning to the lineup.

After completing a three-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL), Nichushkin is back with the Stars and ready to play tonight. He is expected to start on the fourth line with Colton Sceviour and Travis Moen, but should move around a bit. He had no points in four games with the Stars earlier in the season.

Nichushkin, 20, recorded three assists and nine shots on goal during his three-game conditioning stint with Texas (AHL). Nichushkin has been out since November but it looks like he’ll be in tomorrow vs. the Blues.

Ninchushkin, who has only appeared in four games with the Stars this season, is finally ready to get into game action after undergoing hip surgery back in November. He will play three games in Texas before returning to Dallas for the final five games of the regular season.

Nichushkin will head to Texas and if he is feeling healthy enough he is expected to play on Friday. He will play three games there before returning to the Stars.

Nichushkin, who hasn’t played since November 6th, will be traveling with the team, and is expected to return to the Stars lineup next week. He had no points in four games before getting injured.

MacKinnon’s broken foot likely ends what has been a disappointing sophomore season for the 19-year-old. After a 63 point rookie season, Mackinnon registered just 38 points (14G / 24A) in in 64 games this season. The Avalanche sit nine points out of the playoffs, so this injury all but derails any hope they had for the postseason. Despite an average season, MacKinnon remands as an excellent keeper option.

Nichushkin, who had hip surgery on November 18th, visited with his doctor last weekend and was told it would still be 4-6 weeks before he can play in an NHL game. “He’s skating before and after practice,” GM Jim Nill said. “We’ll take it slower and just make sure he’s ready for each step.”

Manson, 23, has one assist in 18 games with the Ducks. While in Norfolk he has collected three goals, six assists (9 points) and 23 PIMS in 23 games. His recall likely means the news on Sami Vatanen is not good.
