Colorado Avalanche News

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Stars will rely on Wedgewood between the pipes, his first start since February 7th. Wedgewood has been serviceable but unspectacular between the pipes this season, posting a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% in 24 games (13-5-4). That said, he manned the crease against the New York Rangers earlier this season and saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory. The Stars enter action as +116 road underdogs against the Rangers.

MacDonald did not play on Saturday after playing four straight but will re-enter the lineup on Monday in favour of Nikita Okhotyuk. In 21 games this season, MacDonald has seven points (6G / 1A), 34 shots, and 30 hits.

Blackwood will return to the crease for the Sharks on Monday after having the night off on Saturday. The 27-year-old Blackwood is quietly amid an impressive four-game winning streak, allowing three or fewer goals in each and posting a stellar .939 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +236 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Barre-Boulet has been a healthy scratch most of the season for Tampa Bay but has suddenly drawn into the lineup in four of the last seven games. In his last outing, Barre-Boulet played 5:28 time-on-ice and recorded one shot on goal.

Blackwood will return to the crease on Thursday night, his first game since January 30th. The 27-year-old Blackwood has quietly won his last three games, his best streak of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest while posting a stellar .948 SV%. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +275 road underdogs against the Calgary Flames, winners of four of their last five (4-1-0).

Barre-Boulet has been a healthy scratch for the Lightning most of this season but will draw into the lineup for the second time in the past three games on Thursday night. In his last outing, Barre-Boulet played 11:50 time-on-ice, registering one hit.

O'Connor was a late scratch for Tuesday's game, with the team not announcing his absence before warmups. His timeline does not appear to be longterm but he will be out of the lineup again on Thursday.

O'Connor was a late scratch for Tuesday's game, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. There is no timetable for his return, though it does not appear to be a long-term injury.

MacKinnon fell awkwardly on his face and exited Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers but will return to the lineup on Tuesday. MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.

Olofsson has not played since January 20th, missing five games, but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. After posting a career-high 28 goals in 75 games last season, Olofsson has struggled offensively, tallying only 12 points (4G / 8A) through 33 games.

Head coach Jared Bednar stated that MacKinnon "should be good to go tomorrow" after missing practice Monday due to a chin injury which caused him to leave their game vs. Florida early. The Avalanche' will hope the injury does not linger as MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this year's Hart Trophy due to his 32 goals, 85 points, 240 SOG, 30 PIMs and +15 plus/minus through 53 games played this season.

Barre-Boulet will be a scratch on Thursday as Lightning head coach Jon Cooper elects to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Austin Watson will draw into the lineup in place of Barre-Boulet.

Malinski will sit in favour of Jack Johnson on Thursday. Malinski has three goals and seven assists in 23 games this season.

Wedgewood takes the crease for the first time in five games as he will give Jake Oettinger a rest on the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday. The 31-year-old backup has won this season despite his mediocre counting stats with his 13-4-4 record, 2.98 GAA and .899 SV%. He heads back to his hometown to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have lost six of their last ten games but are ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.42).