Colorado Avalanche News

Kulak has suited up in three games but will not play Monday vs. the Flames. Ben Chiarot returns from a two-game absence and will replace Kulak on the blueline.

Blackwood underwent dental work after Tuesday's game vs. the Islanders but started Thursday, where he was eventually yanked. It looks like the Devils will give him a night off on Saturday to get back to 100 percent, so Evan Cormier comes up to serve as Louis Domingue's backup.

Francouz stopped 32 of 33 shots in Colorado's 1-0 loss to the Islanders on Monday. Francouz has played very well since the middle of December, going 4-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .940 SV% in his last six outings. Tonight he faces a Penguins team that has gone 6-1-0 while averaging 3.86 goals per game in their last seven road games.

Blackwood allowed four goals on 41 shots in the Devils loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. He has now lost two in a row while giving up four goals in both starts and tonight he faces the Rangers for the third time this season--he is 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .906 SV% in the first two meetings.

Kulak has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Cale Fleury in the lineup on Tuesday. Kulak has just three assists and a minus-8 rating in 30 games this season.

Blackwood gave up four goals on 33 shots inn the Devils loss to the Avalanche on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Blackwood, who will make his seventh consecutive start on Tuesday. He is 4-1-1 with a 2.63 GAA and .914 SV% in his previous six outings, which includes a 29-save performance in a 2-1 win over the Islanders last Thursday.

Kamenev played Saturday in New Jersey, collecting an assist in 9:37 TOI but will be a healthy scratch for the 12th time in 13 games on Monday. Valeri Nichushkin will return from illness to replace Kamenev.

Nichushkin missed Saturday's game in New Jersey but will replace Vladislav Kamenev Monday vs. the Islanders. Nichushkin has one goal and four assists (five points) in his last six games.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home-ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Kiviranta was called up from the AHL on Thursday and will replace Corey Perry in the lineup vs. the Red Wings. Perry is facing a suspension for his hit on Ryan Ellis in the Winter Classic, opening the door for Kiviranta's debut on the Stars fourth line.

Kiviranta is in his first year in North America and has tallied 18 points (9G / 9A) in 33 games with Texas this season. Kiviranta's call-up is likely a reaction to the Corey Perry hearing. Perry elbowed Ryan Ellis in the head during the Winter Classic and will likely be suspended for Friday's game, opening the door for Kiviranta to make his NHL debut.

Tomas Nosek is expecting the birth of his child, so Roy will replace him on the Golden Knights' fourth-line on Thursday. It will be his first NHL game since December 2nd and the 6-foot-4, 208 lbs. centre has one goal and two assists in seven games this year.

Blackwood allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Devils shootout win over the Bruins on Tuesday. Blackwood has won three of his last four starts (3-0-1) with a 2.67 GAA and .911 SV% and tonight he faces an Islanders team that has lost three in a row (0-2-1) on home-ice while scoring 3.33 goals per game.

Roy has spent most of his season in the AHL, scoring six goals with 10 assists (16 points) in 22 games. During his brief time in the NHL, he has amassed one goal and two assists in seven games.

Blackwood allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Devils 4-3 overtime win over the Senators on Sunday. Blackwood has gone 4-1-1 with a 2.74 GAA and .910 SV% in his last six starts but draws a tough home assignment with the Bruins in town on Tuesday. Boston has won six of their last nine road games while scoring 3.56 goals per game.

Makar missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury that he suffered on December 7th. Makar will skate with Samuel Girard at even-strength and will be back on the top power-play unit in his return. He has a ridiculous eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 29 games this season.

Francouz allowed three goals on 32 shots in Colorado's win in Vegas on Monday. The Avalanche have committed to Philipp Grubauer as their No.1 netminder but will continue to ride Francouz while he is hot. Francouz has won four in a row while posting a 1.50 GAA and .956 SV%. On the season, Francouz is 5-1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .922 SV% on home-ice and is a solid option with the Wild in town--they've lost three of their last four road games.