Colorado Avalanche News

The Sharks will continue their early-season goalie rotation and return to Blackwood between the pipes for the third time in their first five games. Blackwood was excellent in his last outing, despite a 3-2 losing effort in a shootout to the Dallas Stars, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%). The Sharks are one of three teams without a win this season (0-2-2) and enter Friday's contest as significant +317 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets, one of three clubs without a loss this season (3-0-0).

Gushchin has not played since the opening night of the season but will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Friday as Will Smith will be a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Gushchin has four points (2G / 2A) in seven career NHL games..

Brendan Brisson is expected to draw into the lineup on Thursday if Olofsson (lower body) is unable to suit up. The 29-year-old Olofsson has started his tenure with the Golden Knights in a positive way, scoring three goals in his first four games.

Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. Toews' impending absence for a second straight game will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).

Stienburg was the 63rd overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Halifax native has amassed 16 points (6G / 10A) in 60 games over the last three seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Ivan has averaged 9:22 time-on-ice through his first three NHL games this season, scoring one points (0G / 1A). The undrafted 22-year-old has played on a line with Chris Wagner and Joel Kiviranta.

Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. If Toews cannot suit again, it will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

The Sharks, winless in their first two games (0-1-1), will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for the second time early in the season. Blackwood struggled in his first outing allowing five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Blackwood had a 3.45 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts in 44 appearances for the Sharks last season (10-25-4). The Sharks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +294 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has outscored their opposition 9-3 so far this season (3-0-0).

Toews was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Oliver Kylington will draw into the lineup in his place.

Barré-Boulet failed to record a point and recorded a -2 plus/minus rating in the first two games of the season and was subsequently placed on waivers on Sunday. He will report to the Laval Rocket (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday.

Barré-Boulet failed to record a point and was a minus-2 rating in the first two games of the season. He'll be replaced by Emil Heineman on the Canadiens' fourth line.

With starting netminder Juuse Saros temporarily sidelined due to a lower-body injury, Wedgewood will make his Predators debut in a matchup against his former club, the Dallas Stars. Wedgewood was a steadying force as the backup goalie for the Stars for three seasons, posting a reliable 2.83 GAA and .907 SV% in 61 appearances (28-16-11). The vastly improved Predators enter action as +109 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club they are expected to battle with for supremacy in the Central Division this season.

Head Coach Andrew Brunette stated the team has not decided on a starter due to injuries but with starting netminder Juuse Saros temporarily sidelined due to a lower-body injury, Wedgewood looks likely to make his Predators debut in a matchup against his former club, the Dallas Stars. Wedgewood was a steadying force as the backup goalie for the Stars for three seasons, posting a reliable 2.83 GAA and .907 SV% in 61 appearances (28-16-11). The vastly improved Predators enter action as +109 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club they are expected to battle with for supremacy in the Central Division this season.

Yaroslav Askarov missed the entirety of training camp so he will begin the season with the San Jose Baracuda (AHL), leaving Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek to duel it out for the Sharks crease. Blackwood was serviceable last season, especially considering the Sharks ranked 31st offensively with 181 goals, posting a 3.45 GAA and .899 SV% in 44 games (10-25-4). After finishing dead last in the NHL last season, the Sharks should improve this season but still enter their opening night matchup as +140 home underdogs against the St. Louis Blues.

Lehkonen has a check-in at the end of the month on the same shoulder he had surgery on in May and is not expected to return to the Avalanche until after the check-up is complete. The 29-year-old should find himself back in his top-six role when able to return and will hope to produce as efficiently as he did in 2023-24, with 16 goals and 34 points in 45 injury-plagued games played.

Brindley was expected to compete for one of Columbus' final roster spots heading into the regular season but has faced a setback after breaking his finger and will be placed on injured reserve with a return time of four to six weeks. The 19-year-old right-winger was Columbus' 2023 2nd round pick (34th overall) who is coming off 25 goals, and 53 points in 40 games at the University of Michigan (NCAA) in 2023-24.

Lehkonen is expected to miss the start of the regular season due to offseason shoulder surgery. According to head coach Jared Bednar, they are trying to give him as long as they can without contact, but once he's cleared it won't be long before he returns to the lineup. With Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin both expected to miss the start of the season, newcomers Calum Ritchie and Nikolai Kovalenko could get a look in the Avalanche top-6 early on.