Colorado Avalanche News

Manson remains day-to-day after missing Colorado's Monday night matchup against the Seattle Kraken and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday when the team takes on the Anaheim Ducks. The 10-year-veteran is averaging a career-low 15:59 time-on-ice through 13 games, nearly a full two minutes less than any previous season, while tallying one point (0G / 1A), 18 blocks, and 20 hits. The Avalanche has recalled defenceman Sam Malinski and Caleb Jones from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.

Ludvig played his first career game on October 24th but exited with only 5:29 time-on-ice after an awkward collision with Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa. Ludvig has not played since and will get the opportunity to play some games at the AHL level before potentially rejoining the team in Pittsburgh. Last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Ludvig had 17 points (3G / 14A) in 54 games.

Blackwood will start for the 11th time in 16 games for the Sharks against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Sharks' struggles as the league-worst offence (1.20 GF / GP) and league-worst defence (4.40 GA / GP) have been well documented this season, but nearly as astonishing has been the play of Blackwood between the pipes. Despite the Sharks' inability to compete in most games, Blackwood has recorded a quality start in 60% of his games. His .900 SV% speaks volumes to his level of play this season but hopes for a win remain low as the Sharks are +241 home underdogs on Tuesday.

Malinski made his NHL debut Monday and was a +1 plus/minus across 17 shifts and 12:02 TOI but will head back to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) Monday. The 25-year-old rookie defensemen returns to the Eagles, where he had three goals, six points and two PIMS in 13 games prior to his promotion.

There was no indication from the team that Manson was in danger of missing Monday's game prior to the Roster Report being finalized shortly before puck drop. The 32-year-old defenseman has registered no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

There was no indication from the team that Girard was in danger of missing Monday's game prior to the Roster Report being finalized shortly before puck drop. The 25-year-old defenseman has registered no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

The former Cornell University blue-liner is set to make his NHL debut after signing with the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent last March. Malinski has six goals and six assists in 20 career AHL games.

Cogliano did not dress for Colorado's 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and wore a non-contact jersey at practice on Monday. Cogliano has three points (0G / 3A) in 12 games this season, averaging 10:02 time-on-ice. It appears Joel Kiviranta is ready to make his Avalanche debut, likely slotting into Cogliano's place on the fourth line.

Francouz battled injuries last season as well, recording a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% while playing in only 16 games (8-7-1). Ivan Prosvetov will continue to serve as the backup to Alexandar Georgiev.

Blackwood will look to keep things rolling on Sunday with a third straight victory after almost single handedly willing the Sharks to their first two wins of the season. Blackwood allowed just three goals on 80 shots (.963 SV%) across a pair of victories over the Flyers and Oilers. Despite the hot streak, the 27-year-old netminder remains a risky start in Anaheim on Sunday, but the high amount of shots he's destined to face does leave him with a lot of upside in points leagues and other fantasy formats that reward saves. The Sharks are giving up an astounding 38 shots per game on the season.

Blackwood was the driving force behind the Sharks' first victory of the season on Tuesday, saving 38 of 39 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers. Victory aside, the Sharks are still +288 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that will be desperate to shake out of their funk. After leading the league in offence a season ago (3.96 GF / GP), the Oilers rank 26th in the league (2.64 GF / GP) and, despite their well-documented struggles (2-8-1), remain a threat every night that Connor McDavid takes the ice.

Blackwood was the driving force behind the Sharks' first victory of the season on Tuesday, saving 38 of 39 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers. Victory aside, the Sharks are still +288 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that will be desperate to shake out of their funk. After leading the league in offence a season ago (3.96 GF / GP), the Oilers rank 26th in the league (2.64 GF / GP) and, despite their well-documented struggles (2-8-1), remain a threat every night that Connor McDavid takes the ice.

Ludvig made his NHL debut on October 24th but did not finish the game after suffering a concussion in a collision with Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa. He has now been placed retroactively on the injured reserve. Ludvig was the 69th overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, Ludvig had 17 points (3G / 14A) in 54 games.

MacDonald did not play on Tuesday after playing in the Sharks' previous two games as he was tending to an undisclosed injury and has since been placed on the injured reserve. The 30-year-old journeyman has 20 points (4G / 16A) through 103 career NHL games.

Blackwood will start on Tuesday and attempt to stop the bleeding for the Sharks, who have been dreadfully outscored 20-3 over their past two contests (0-2-0). Putting it lightly, the Sharks have been abysmal this season, ranking dead last offensively (1.09 GF / GP) and defensively (4.91 GA / GP). Given the team's horrendous start, Blackwood's .879 SV% through eight games (0-6-1) is somewhat admirable, but until the Sharks prove they can compete with other teams, there is very little optimism for whichever goaltender mans their crease.