Colorado Avalanche News

Colorado will turn to Blackwood in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday, a pivotal Central Division matchup against the Minnesota Wild, and hope he can pick up where he left off before the Olympic break. Heading into the league stoppage, the 29-year-old Blackwood had a dazzling 1.42 GAA and .947 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Thursday as -142 home favourites against a Wild team they defeated 5-1 in their previous meeting.

MacKinnon had seven points (4G / 3A) in six games for Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, but was given an extra maintenance day and was kept out of the lineup on Wednesday. That said, he should draw back into the lineup on Thursday in a highly contested Divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild. 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.

Colorado will turn to Blackwood in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday, a pivotal Central Division matchup against the Minnesota Wild, and hope he can pick up where he left off before the Olympic break. Heading into the league stoppage, the 29-year-old Blackwood had a dazzling 1.42 GAA and .947 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Thursday as -142 home favourites against a Wild team they defeated 5-1 in their previous meeting.

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.

Makar led Team Canada's blueline with six points (2G / 4A) in six games during their Silver Medal Performance at the Olympics, and 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 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, 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.