With Cale Makar returning from a two game absence, Nick Blankenburg finds himself the odd man out of Colorado's lineup as they head to Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Blankenburg has played solid when called upon this postseason, with a goal, and a -2 plus/minus in five games played.
Blankenburg will make his first appearance since Game 3 of Colorado's second round matchup against the Wild. He's appeared in four games this post-season, tallying one goal and zero assists. Jack Ahcan will sit in his place.
Blankenburg is presumably a healthy scratch despite Sam Malinski being unavailable due to injury. Josh Manson and Jack Ahcan will both draw into the lineup.
With Cale Makar (upper body) expected to miss a few games, Blankenburg will return to Colorado's lineup for the first time in over two weeks. The 27-year-old Blankenburg is averaging 9:08 time-on-ice and has zero points through three games with the Avalanche.
The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators last Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.
The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Predators on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.
Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.
Blankenburg will take a seat on Thursday as the Predators opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Justin Barron will dress in his place.
Blankenburg will return to the Predators lineup on Monday after sitting out Saturday's game due to an illness. Blankenburg has appeared in 43 games this season, logging a career-high six goals and 15 assists.
Blankenburg made his season debut for Nashville on October 18th, recording a +1 plus/minus in 12:04 time-on-ice, but has been sidelined since. The 27-year-old Blankenburg played a career-high 60 games with Nashville last season and recorded 16 points (4G / 12A). He draws into the lineup for an injured Adam Wilsby (lower body).
Blankenburg made his season debut in Nashville's most recent game, recording a +1 plus/minus in 12:04 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Blankenburg played a career-high 60 games with Nashville last season and recorded 16 points (4G / 12A).
Blankenburg is an undrafted 26-year-old product of the University of Michigan. The defenseman played 12 games with the Blue Jackets last season but has exclusively been an AHL player in 2024-25, scoring eight points (3G / 5A) in 13 games with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Blankenburg is an undrafted 26-year-old product of the University of Michigan. The defenseman played 12 games with the Blue Jackets last season but has exclusively been an AHL player in 2024-25, scoring eight points (3G / 5A) in 13 games with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Nashville continued its signing frenzy on Tuesday by bringing in Nick Blankenburg on a two-year, two-way contract. The 26-year-old undrafted free agent appeared in 12 games with Columbus in 2023-24, picking up one assist, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Blankenburg will begin his second stint in Columbus this season on Friday after being recalled on an emergancy basis from Cleveland (AHL). The 25-year-old failed to pick up a point across his six games played earlier in the season but had three SOG while averaging 17:52 TOI.
Blankenburg has been out since December 19th but will return to the ice in the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets recalled David Jiriceck from Cleveland.
