After a shaky start to March, posting a disastrous 4.58 GAA and .794 SV% in four appearances (0-2-0), Blackwood seems to have recovered and returned to his early-season dominance. The 29-year-old Blackwood has saved 39 of the last 42 shots he's faced (.929 SV%) amid a two-game winning streak. The Avalanche enter Thursday's contest as -167 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that is 2-0-1 in its last three games.
Roy has been effective in a bottom six role since being acquired by Colorado, but he is set to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 28-year-old had five goals in 59 games with Toronto, but already scored three in nine games with Colorado.
Roy was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the Avalanche not announcing his absence prior to warmups. We should get an update on his status ahead of Colorado's game in Winnipeg on Thursday.
With Logan O'Connor (hip) and Ross Colton (upper body) drawing in Colorado's lineup on Tuesday, Gavin Brindley and Zakhar Bardakov will be healthy scratches. The 25-year-old Bardakov is averaging 7:05 time-on-ice and has 10 points (1G / 9A) in 55 games this season.
With Logan O'Connor (hip) and Ross Colton (upper body) drawing in Colorado's lineup on Tuesday, Gavin Brindley and Zakhar Bardakov will be healthy scratches. The 21-year-old Brindley is averaging 9:33 time-on-ice and has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 56 games this season.
Wedgewood has been excellent lately for the Avalanche and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 33-year-old Wedgewood saved 17 of 18 shots in his most recent outing (.944 SV%), a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has an outstanding 1.65 GAA and .935 SV% in seven appearances (5-1-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a -154 road favourite against a Penguins team that is 3-1-1 in its last five games.
Colton has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on March 10th, but he will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 29-year-old Colton is averaging 12:49 time-on-ice and has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 60 games this season.
O'Connor underwent hip surgery last June and has yet to play this season. He started practicing two weeks ago and will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 29-year-old O'Connor has been a reliable bottom-six forward for several seasons with Colorado. He has 21 points (10G / 11A) in 80 games last season.
Blackwood has struggled immensely in recent games, but he will get a chance to redeem himself on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old goalie allowed four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 7-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has an ugly 4.58 GAA and .791 SV% in his last four games (1-3-0). That said, Colorado enters Friday's contest as enormous -321 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that played last night and defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1.
Ivan has played in just seven NHL games this season, but is expected to draw into the Avalanche lineup on Wednesday night. He has seven goals and 12 assists in 55 AHL games this season.
Wedgewood will need to forget his performance in Monday's embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing three goals on five shots (.400 SV%), as he returns to the crease on Wednesday in a pivotal Central Division clash with the Dallas Stars. Before Monday's poor outing, the 33-year-old Wedgewood was excelling since returning from the Olympic break, posting an outstanding 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0), including saving all 10 shots he faced in a relief performance in a 5-4 shootout win over Dallas two weeks ago. The Avalanche enter Wednesday's contest as -141 home favourites against a Stars team coming off of their first regulation loss in 16 games (14-1-1).
Wedgewood will need to forget his performance in Monday's embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing three goals on five shots (.400 SV%), as he returns to the crease on Wednesday in a pivotal Central Division clash with the Dallas Stars. Before Monday's poor outing, the 33-year-old Wedgewood was excelling since returning from the Olympic break, posting an outstanding 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0), including saving all 10 shots he faced in a relief performance in a 5-4 shootout win over Dallas two weeks ago. The Avalanche enter Wednesday's contest as -141 home favourites against a Stars team coming off of their first regulation loss in 16 games (14-1-1).
O'Connor underwent hip surgery last June and has yet to play this season. He started practicing last week and could be targeting a return during Colorado's upcoming four-game road trip. The 29-year-old O'Connor has been a reliable bottom-six forward for several seasons with Colorado. He has 21 points (10G / 11A) in 80 games last season.
With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.
With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.
Stjernberg is an undrafted 23-year-old defenseman that has earned himself an entry-level contract after wrapping up collegiate hockey career. He had 10 points (6G / 4A) in 25 games with Bowling Green State University this season.
