Colorado Avalanche News

MacKinnon had seven points (4G / 3A) in six games for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but will not be ready to suit up when Colorado returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 30-year-old MacKinnon is having another tremendous season, among the league leaders with 93 points (40G / 53A) through 55 games. That said, he has only 22 powerplay points, the fewest of any player with at least 69 points this season.

Nelson scored three points (2G / 1A) in six games to help Team USA win a Gold Medal, and will be ready to return to action for Colorado on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old Nelson is having an outstanding first full season in Colorado, scoring 49 points (29G / 20A) in 55 games. He had 15 goals in 18 games leading up to the Olympic break.

Makar led Team Canada's blueline with six points (2G / 4A) in six games during their Silver Medal Performance at the Olympics, and it is unclear if he will be ready to suit up when Colorado returns to action against the Utah Mammoth. Makar is having another great season, ranking fifth amongst all defensemen with 57 points (15G / 42A) through 55 games.

Toews played a prominent role for Team Canada, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in six games, during their Silver Medal performance, and it is unclear if he will be ready to suit up for Colorado when they return to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. Heading into this season, Toews had produced at a 0.65 point-per-game pace, but has seen that dip drastically in 2025-26, with only 13 points (1G / 12A) through 42 games (0.31 P/PG).

MacKinnon had seven points (4G / 3A) in six games for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, and it is unclear if he will be ready to suit up when Colorado returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 30-year-old MacKinnon is having another tremendous season, among the league leaders with 93 points (40G / 53A) through 55 games. That said, he has only 22 powerplay points, the fewest of any player with at least 69 points this season.

Nelson scored three points (2G / 1A) in six games to help Team USA win a Gold Medal, and it is unclear if he will be ready to return to action for Colorado on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old Nelson is having an outstanding first full season in Colorado, scoring 49 points (29G / 20A) in 55 games. He had 15 goals in 18 games leading up to the Olympic break.

Wedgewood was sidelined for Colorado's final few games heading into the Olympic break and should be well rested when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Wedgewood already has a career-high 20 wins this season and will look to continue his hot hand as the Avalanche will be battling to capture the Presidents' Trophy this season. Despite his immense success this season, Wedgewood was battling adversity in his most recent games, losing four of eight (4-3-1) while posting subpar numbers of 3.10 GAA and .878 SV%. Still, Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -120 road favourites against Utah.

Colorado acquired Brett Kulak and a 2028 2nd round pick from Pittsburgh for Samuel Girard on Tuesday and he is expected to make his team debut on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. Kulak will join his third NHL team this season after spending stints in Edmonton and Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old defenseman has accompanied his team to the Stanley Cup Finals in two straight seasons and will add some stability and experience to Colorado's blueline. He has nine points (1G / 8A) and 77 blocks in 56 combined games this season.

Necas was impressive while representing Czechia at the Olympics, leading his team with eight points (3G / 5A) in five games. The 27-year-old forward will look to continue his career-best pace when he returns to Colorado's lineup on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. He has 62 points (22G / 40A) in 52 games this season.

Landeskog had been sidelined for five weeks leading up to the Olympic break due to a mid-body injury, but he was cleared to return to action at the Olympics, where he scored four points (2G / 2A) in five games. The 33-year-old Landeskog has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 41 games this season and started to show signs of his old self before his injury, with 15 points (5G / 10A) in his last 19 games with Colorado.

Kulak will join his third NHL team this season after spending stints in Edmonton and Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old defenseman has accompanied his team to the Stanley Cup Finals in two straight seasons and will add some stability and experience to Colorado's blueline. He has nine points (1G / 8A) and 77 blocks in 56 combined games this season.

Kiviranta did not see a shift as the 13th forward on Wednesday but will come out of the lineup for Friday's game vs. Sweden. Oliver Kapanen will draw in as the 13th forward.

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.

Blackwood was excellent in his previous outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old Blackwood has strung together several strong outings, posting a dazzling 1.28 GAA and .953 SV% in his last four games (2-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Wednesday as sizeable -280 home favourites against Blackwood's former team, the San Jose Sharks, whom he recorded a 26-save shutout against in a 6-0 win in their previous meeting this season.

Blackwood was excellent in his previous outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old Blackwood has strung together several strong outings, posting a dazzling 1.28 GAA and .953 SV% in his last four games (2-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Wednesday as sizeable -280 home favourites against Blackwood's former team, the San Jose Sharks, whom he recorded a 26-save shutout against in a 6-0 win in their previous meeting this season.

Necas has missed the last two games and will not play in Colorado's final game before the Olympic Break, but is still expecting to gear up for Czechia at the tournament. It's encouraging news for the 27-year-old, who should draw back into the lineup after NHL action resumes on February 25th.

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.

Colorado's Head Coach Jared Bednar previously reported that Landeskog was hopeful to play a game before the Winter Olympic break. Unfortunately, Landeskog will not play for Colorado, but he is still progressing as expected and is targeting a return for Sweden at the Olympics. The 33-year-old Landeskog has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 41 games this season and started to show signs of his old self before his injury, with 15 points (5G / 10A) in his last 19 games.

Necas did not play in Colorado's previous game because of a lower-body injury and will remain out of the lineup on Monday, but is hopeful to return to the lineup on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Czech forward is having a tremendous first full season with Colorado, scoring 62 points (22G / 40A) through 52 games. That said, he has been held off the scoresheet in four of his last five games.

Toews has been sidelined for four weeks because of an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The league-leading Avalanche has played its worst hockey without Toews in the lineup, going 5-6-2, and will be eager for him to return. The 31-year-old Toews has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 40 games this season.