Despite starting only two of the last four games, Georgiev will return to the Avalanche crease for the second straight game. On Wednesday, Georgiev was excellent, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a commanding 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Avalanche enter action as sizeable -224 home favourites on Friday in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
Thompson was a late scratch for Thursday's game with the team not announcing his absence until less than an hour before puck drop. The Sabres added that he is day-to-day with the injury. His first chance to return to the lineup will be for Saturday's game against the Oilers.
Johnson will take a seat on Thursday in order to make room for new arrival Bowen Byram. Johnson has no goals and seven assists in 41 games this season.
Byram was acquired from Colorado in a one-for-one deal for Casey Mittlestadt on Wednesday and will make his Sabres' debut on Thursday in Nashville. The 22-year-old offensive defenseman is expected to pair with Rasmus Dahlin out of the gate and will hope to add to his eight goals, 20 points, 40 PIMs and 63 SOG through 40 games played this season.
Zucker and Matthew Dumba will both be held out of the Coyotes' lineup in anticipation of a deal before Friday's trade deadline. Zucker has 24 points (9G / 16A), 104 shots, and 74 hits in 51 games this season.
Georgiev had the night off on Monday and has served as the backup in three of the last six, but will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Georgiev was unsuccessful in his last outing, allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators and has allowed four goals in two of his last three (1-2-0). The Avalanche were defeated 2-1 in overtime by the Red Wings two weeks ago but enter action as -193 home favourites on Wednesday night.
The Sabres blueline will be a treat for years to come after acquiring Byram on Wednesday, adding to an already talented core of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Byram was having a down year offensively with the Avalanche, with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 55 games this season.
Lyon has lost two straight but will return to the crease on Wednesday for the Red Wings. The 31-year-old Lyon has allowed four goals in two straight (0-2-0), but was sensational against the Colorado Avalanche on February 22nd, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory. That said, the Red Wings enter action as +172 underdogs on the road in Colorado.
Byram has 20 points (8G / 12A) in 55 games this season but has been limited to only one assist in his last seven games. Recently, he has played on the third defensive pairing alongside Jack Johnson.
Georgiev had the night off on Monday and has served as the backup in three of the last six, but will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Georgiev was unsuccessful in his last outing, allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators and has allowed four goals in two of his last three (1-2-0). The Avalanche were defeated 2-1 in overtime by the Red Wings two weeks ago but enter action as -193 home favourites on Wednesday night.
The Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Wednesday for a season-high ninth straight start. Luukkonen last played on Sunday, allowing three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 5-2 losing effort against the Winnipeg Jets. The Sabres enter action as +153 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs squad they handily defeated 9-3 in December.
Arizona will protect their trade asset in Jason Zucker by healthy scratching him for Tuesday's matchup for trade-related purposes. With Friday's Trade Deadline looming, Zucker's first and only season in Arizona may be coming to an end as he likely closes it out with nine goals, 25 points, 104 SOG, 58 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 51 games played.
Timmins has missed the last 15 games but should return to the Maple Leafs roster imminently after making a full recovery from mono. Timmins last played on January 24th and has six points (1G / 5A) in 16 games this season.
Colorado has begun to show more trust in Justus Annunen, starting two of the last four games, but will return to their workhorse Georgiev on Saturday. Georgiev was excellent in his last outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a statement 5-1 victory over their division rivals, the Dallas Stars. Georgiev and the Avalanche will face off against a Nashville Predators club that has outscored their opposition by a whopping 32-12 margin during a seven-game winning streak.
Lyon will get the chance to redeem himself after a poor showing in his last outing. On Thursday, Lyon allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders, snapping his four-game winning streak where he allowed only eight total goals. He will face off against the Florida Panthers, the team he made a name for himself with last season, and saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) against in a 3-2 victory on January 17th.
