Colorado Avalanche News

The 42nd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Drury has performed well in a limited role for the Hurricanes. He tallied eight goals and 19 assists in 74 games last season despite mostly being reduced to a fourth-line role, though his production has tailed off this year with just 12 points (3G/9A) in 39 games. He brings much-needed centre depth to the Avalanche but will inevitably tied to a former franchise icon for years to come.

Necas had an impeccable start to the season, scoring 14 goals with 30 assists (44 points) in his first 30 games. However, he's cooled off considerably in his last 19 games, scoring just twice with nine assists (11 points). Necas should see a significant uptick in minutes in Colorado, where he could land on a line with Nathan MacKinnon.

Ivan has seen some deployment at the AHL level lately where he's tallied two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the Eagles (AHL). The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 40 games with the Avalanche but has been held off the scoresheet in 18 straight.

Colorado is coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild when Blackwood allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) but will continue to roll with him between the pipes on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Blackwood has been outstanding since joining the Avalanche, posting a 1.97 GAA and .928 SV% in 14 games (9-4-1), but has struggled in his last two (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 54 shots (.870 SV%). Colorado enters the action on Wednesday as a -116 home favorite against a Winnipeg team that defeated them 3-0 less than two weeks ago.

Calvin de Haan will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Malinski to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:42 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 45 games this season.

Colorado is coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild when Blackwood allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) but will continue to roll with him between the pipes on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Blackwood has been outstanding since joining the Avalanche, posting a 1.97 GAA and .928 SV% in 14 games (9-4-1), but has struggled in his last two (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 54 shots (.870 SV%). Colorado enters the action on Wednesday as a -116 home favorite against a Winnipeg team that defeated them 3-0 less than two weeks ago.

Ivan has seen some deployment at the AHL level lately where he's tallied two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the Eagles (AHL). The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 39 games with the Avalanche but has been held off the scoresheet in 17 straight.

Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback earlier this week, downgrading his status to week-to-week. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Ivan appeared in just two games after being recalled on Saturday before being sent back down. The Avalanche also reassigned Jere Innala to the Eagles on Monday.

Makar is battling an undisclosed injury but will not miss any time, remaining in the lineup on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. The talented offensive defenseman scored two goals in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars, rebounding from a stretch where he only had one point (0G / 1A) in his previous six games.

Blackwood had a rest day in Colorado's 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, but the club will return to him between the pipes on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%), his worst performance in an Avalanche uniform, in his most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 1.87 GAA and .932 SV% in 13 games with Colorado (9-3-1). Colorado enters Monday's contest as sizeable -233 home favorites against a Minnesota squad coming off a 6-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.

Nichushkin was not able to complete a full practice on Monday and will likely remain sidelined on Monday against the Minnesota Wild. Originally given a day-to-day timeline, Nichushkin, and the Avalanche have been patient with his recovery and have not rushed his return to the lineup. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Samuel Girard (undisclosed) will return from a three-game absence, resulting in Malinski being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:42 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 45 games this season.

Colorado is coming off an exciting 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers and will return to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been sensational since joining Colorado last month, posting an immaculate 1.68 GAA and .938 SV% in 12 games (9-2-1). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favorites against an Oilers squad that played last night and defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-3.

Nichushkin has not played since December 31st and has missed seven straight games. Originally given a day-to-day timeline, Nichushkin, and the Avalanche have been patient with his recovery and have not rushed his return to the lineup. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.