Colorado announced Friday that forward Logan O'Connor had successfully undergone hip surgery and is expected to miss the next five to six months as he recovers. The 28-year-old produced an impressive two goals and six points in seven playoff games in Colorado's opening series loss to Dallas this past season.
Nelson was acquired from the Islanders in March and had 13 points (6G / 7A) in 19 regular-season games and four assists in seven playoff games with the Avalanche. The 33-year-old will serve as Colorado's No.2 centre in 2025-26 and is signed through the 2027-28 season.
Nabokov was Colorado's 2024 2nd-round pick (38th overall) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche. The 22-year-old Russian netminder has already been loaned back to Metallurg (KHL) for the 2025-26 season after posting a 23-17-6 record, .923 SV% and 2.22 GAA in 49 games played in 2024-25.
Following a 23-save shutout in Game 4, the first of his career, Blackwood allowed several questionable goals in Game 5, saving 13 of 18 shots (.722 SV%) before being relieved in the second intermission in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Still, the 28-year-old Blackwood has a 2.38 GAA and .909 SV% through five games this postseason (2-3). Colorado faces elimination, trailing their series 3-2, and enters the action on Thursday as -190 road favorites against Dallas.
Colton has not played since exiting Game 1 and will likely be sidelined for the remainder of the first round. The 28-year-old Colton had the 29 points (16G / 13A) in 61 games this season.
Blackwood was lightly tested in Saturday's 4-0 Game 4 victory, evening Colorado's series with the Dallas Stars 2-2, saving all 23 shots he faced for his first career playoff shutout. The 28-year-old netminder has a stellar 1.60 GAA and .939 SV% through four games (2-2) this postseason. Colorado enters a pivotal Game 5 as -139 road favorites against a Dallas team that, despite winning two games, has amazingly only had the lead in this series for 62 seconds.
As expected, the Avalanche will turn back to Blackwood between the pipes for the third game of their opening round series against the Stars. After a fantastic performance in Game 1, Blackwood's play regressed in Game 2, as he allowed four goals on 39 shots in the 4-3 overtime defeat. Blackwood guided the team to a 22-12-3 record in his 36 starts during the regular season, so Jared Bednar's confidence in his starting netminder is understandably unshaken ahead of Game 3. The Avalanche enter action on Wednesday at -190 on the money line.
Landeskog participated in the pregame skate on Monday but was a late scratch, delaying his return to the lineup. He has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche captain will make his remarkable return to the lineup for the third game of the series, with the Stars and Avs tied at a game a piece.
Landeskog participated in the pregame skate on Monday but was a late scratch, delaying his return to the lineup. He has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but implied a realistic chance that he returns to the lineup on Wednesday for Game 3.
After much speculation that Gabriel Landeskog (knee) could draw in for Ross Colton (lower-body), it will in fact be Miles Wood that enters Colorado's lineup. Wood finished the regular season with four goals and four assists in 37 games.
Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but stated he was an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go. Ultimately, it will be Miles Wood that replaces Colton on Monday.
Colton left Game 1 with lower-body injury and did not return. Gabriel Landeskog is an option to replace Colton in the lineup if he's unable to play
Blackwood was outstanding in Saturday's Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars and will return to the crease on Monday for Game 2. The 28-year-old Blackwood faced several high-danger chances, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), including several early before the game became out of reach in an eventual 5-1 victory. Colorado enters game two as -148 road favorites against Dallas.
Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but he is an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go, which seems more likely after being activated from LTIR.
Blackwood was outstanding in Saturday's Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars and will likely return to the crease on Monday for Game 2. The 28-year-old Blackwood faced several high-danger chances, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), including several early before the game became out of reach in an eventual 5-1 victory. Colorado enters game two as -148 road favorites against Dallas.
Colton left Game 1 with lower-body injury and did not return. The Avalanche coaching staff said that Colton is feeling "not great," so he seems closer to doubtful than questionable. Gabriel Landeskog is an option to replace Colton in the lineup if he's unable to play.
Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but he is an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go.
