Wilson has missed the last six games with an undisclosed injury but will draw back onto the Avalanche fourth line tonight. Wilson has gotten out of the gate slowly, collecting just two assists in eight games so far this season.
After being acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, Girard will immediately step onto a pairing with Tyson Barrie in his Avalanche debut. The former second round pick had three points (1G / 2A) in five games with the Predators this season and was a two-time 70-point defenseman in the QMJHL. Girard is also expected to see some PP1 time next to Barrie, making him an intriguing fantasy addition in deeper leagues.
Compher has missed the last six games with a broken thumb, but will get back into the lineup this afternoon in Sweden. Compher has picked up one goal and three assists (four points) in eight games this season and today he skates with Matthew Nieto and Blake Comeau in his return to the lineup.
Kerfoot has averaged 12:57 TOI/GM in his first 14 games of the season, but played 20:49 TOI after Duchene was traded mid-game in Brooklyn. The rookie centre has five goals and four assists (nine points) to start his NHL career and will have even more opportunities now that he takes Duchene’s spot on the second line.
Nemeth is dealing with an undisclosed injury and it will keep him out of both of Colorado’s games in Sweden. With Nemeth out, Samuel Girard will make his Avalanche debut vs. the Senators.
Soderberg is with his wife as they expect the birth of their child so he will not play in either of Colorado’s two games in Sweden. With Soderberg out, Colin Wilson (undisclosed) will draw back into the Avalanche lineup.
Anderson allowed five goals on 34 shots in the Senators loss to Vegas last Saturday. Anderson has won three of his last five starts despite posting a 4.11 GAA and .869 SV%. It’s been an ugly start to the season for the 36-year-old, who just hasn’t been able to come up with the big saves that he was making last year.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s win in Philadelphia last Saturday. Varlamov was given the following night off so he is well rested to kick-off the NHL’s Global Series today in Sweden. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts despite posting an ugly 4.17 GAA and .890 SV%.
Budaj allowed four goals on 21 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Ducks on October 28th. Budaj has struggled in his two starts this season, allowing a combined eight goals on just 55 shots (.855 SV%). Tonight he faces a Kings team that has gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games while averaging 3.29 goals for per game.
Hellebuyck stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Jets’ win in Dallas on Monday. After a rough outing vs. Montreal on Saturday, Hellebuyck bounced back and got back to his winning ways. He has been victorious in four of his last five (4-0-1) with a 1.98 GAA and .940 SV%. The young netminder has yet to lose in regulation in 10 starts and makes for a must-start tonight in Vegas .
Schneider allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Devils’ loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. Schneider has now dropped his last two starts, including a game in Edmonton, but he gets another crack at them tonight on home ice. Schneider has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.96 GAA and .918 SV% at the Prudential Center this year.
