Nichuskin is battling an illness but is hopeful to play on Tuesday. The Avalanche, already without Cale Makar, can ill afford to lose the offensive talents of Nichushkin, who has been tremendous lately, posting 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 11 games playing predominantly on the top line and top powerplay unit.
Cogliano will not play on Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury. The 36-year-old veteran has seven points (3G / 4A) in 21 games this season, averaging 10:31 time-on-ice. Oskar Olausson is expected to make his season debut in Cogliano's absence.
Olausson has one NHL game under his belt, last season with the Avalanche, being held without a point in the effort, and will play his second in his season debut on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28th overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL this season.
Makar did not play on Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest late in the third period with a lower-body injury. He was a limited participant at morning skate on Tuesday and will presumably be a game-time decision ahead of the evening matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Makar is currently pacing for the best season of his career, with 34 points (7G / 27A) and a +18 plus/minus through 23 games. If Makar is unable to play on Tuesday, expect Devon Toews to assume his role on the top powerplay unit.
Nelson scored two points (0G / 2A) on Saturday against the Florida Panthers but exited the game with an undisclosed injury after playing 15:04 time-on-ice. Nelson did not participate in practice on Monday but has been deemed ready to play on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Nelson's two-point outburst on Saturday ended a three-game pointless skid for the 11-year veteran.
Olausson has one NHL game under his belt, last season with the Avalanche, being held without a point in the effort. The 28th overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL this season.
Nelson scored two points (0G / 2A) on Saturday against the Florida Panthers but exited the game with an undisclosed injury after playing 15:04 time-on-ice. Nelson did not participate in practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day ahead of the Islanders' next contest on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Nelson's two-point outburst on Saturday ended a three-game pointless skid for the 11-year veteran.
Blackwood will get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took home the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.
Blackwood is expected to get the nod on Sunday after Kaapo Kahkonen got the start in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Devils. Blackwood allowed three goals on 37 shots but a familiar lack of goal support saddled him with the loss in Thursday's 3-0 defeat to the Bruins. Blackwood owns a .903 SV% on the season and recently took him the Sharks' player of the month award for November. He will have his hands full once again on Sunday with the Sharks being +310 underdogs in New York.
Wedgewood will return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.
Wedgewood will likely return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.
Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.
Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.
Blackwood did not play in the Sharks' 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday but will return to the crease on Monday when they take on the Washington Capitals. Blackwood has played exceptionally for the last-place Sharks over his last seven games (2-3-1), recording an impressive .917 SV%. The Sharks are +188 home underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Blackwood was heroic in a losing effort against the Capitals on October 29th, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%) in a 3-1 loss.
MacKinnon is dealing with an illness that made him a game-time decision for Colorado's Monday night meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning. MacKinnon has been producing at-will lately, scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in his last 10 games, playing predominantly on a line with Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin.
Blackwood did not play in the Sharks' 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday but will likely return to the crease on Monday when they take on the Washington Capitals. Blackwood has played exceptionally for the last-place Sharks over his last seven games (2-3-1), recording an impressive .917 SV%. The Sharks are +188 home underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Blackwood was heroic in a losing effort against the Capitals on October 29th, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%) in a 3-1 loss.
