Colorado Avalanche News

Colorado has outscored their opposition 14-4 during a three-game winning streak and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes in a meeting against his former club, the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been excellent since joining Colorado, posting a 2.12 GAA, .921 SV%, and two shutouts in 25 games (16-7-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as enormous -396 home favorites against a Sharks team on a rare two-game winning streak.

Manson has not played since February 4th, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season.

Necas was battling nausea in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing only 15:23 time-on-ice. His status is unclear for Colorado's next contest on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Necas has been terrific since joining the Avalanche, scoring 13 points (4G / 9A) in 13 games.

Svechkov draws right back into the Preds lineup after being a healthy scratch in New York on Sunday. Svechkov has six goals and three assists in 30 games this season.

Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Colorado snapped a two-game losing skid in their most recent outing, an impressive 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils when Blackwood saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%). The 28-year-old Blackwood will likely return to Colorado's crease on Friday, looking to build on his 2.12 GAA and .922 SV% through 24 games (15-7-2) with the team. Colorado enters Friday's contest as significant -315 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild squad that lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club last night.

Colorado has lost two consecutive games, outscored 5-2, since returning to action from the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and will attempt to return to the win column with Blackwood tending the twine on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Blackwood allowed three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He has a 2.17 GAA and .921 SV% in 23 games (14-7-2) with Colorado this season. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -150 home favorites against a New Jersey squad coming off a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators.

After serving as a healthy scratch on Thursday, Middleton will get the chance to play on Friday as the Avalanche opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Oliver Kylington will sit in his place.

Blackwood will start his second game in as many nights when the Avalanche travel to Edmonton on Friday. Blackwood turned in a stellar performance last night, stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced in a 4-2 victory in Calgary. The 28-year-old netminder has been spectacular between the pipes for the Avs since being acquired from the Sharks earlier this season, registering a 13-6-2 record and a .926 SV%. He will need to be at his best again on Friday as the Avalanche enter action at +150 on the money line against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

Middleton will take a seat on Thursday as Calvin de Haan draws into the lineup in his place. Middleton has zero goals and two assists in 26 games this season.

Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).

Manson exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will be shut down for Colorado's final two games before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season. Oliver Kylington will return from an undisclosed injury to replace Manson.

Colorado will likely roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).