Nelson was struck by a puck in the back of the head in the Islanders' previous contest vs. Florida and was forced to leave after playing only 10:33 TOI. The 31-year-old has been having an excellent season with 15 goals, 19 assists, 100 SOG, and a +9 plus/minus through 35 games and will be a game-time decision Tuesday.
Francouz is 4-5-0 with a 2.80 GAA and .913 SV% but is considered day-to-day and will miss the Avalanches' game Tuesday as he deals with a lower-body injury. Jonas Johansson was recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) to replace Francouz for the time being.
Blackwood stopped 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in his first start in two months as he beat the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old will get a second straight Devil's start and will be looking to improve on his 5-2-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .892 SV%. He will face the Boston Bruins, who have won their last three games and have the league's best record.
Blackwood stopped 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in his first start in two months as he beat the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old will get a second straight Devil's start and will be looking to improve on his 5-2-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .892 SV%. He will face the Boston Bruins, who have won their last three games and have the league's best record.
Blackwood's time in Utica (AHL) did not go as smoothly as planned as he had a 3.03 GAA and .891 SV% in just two starts with the team. Regardless, he was recalled to the Devils, where he struggled early in the season prior to a knee injury, posting a 4-2-0 record with a 2.79 GAA and .880 SV%.
Wedgewood last took the crease on Dec. 4th when he stopped 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in an overtime loss to Minnesota. The Stars' backup has been solid this season, with his 5-4-2 record, .908 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who are third in the NHL in goals per game (3.68) and fourth in shots (34.7).
Francouz will draw his second straight start after stopping 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Avalanche's backup has been up and down this season as shown by his 3-5-0 record, .911 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, whose only win in the last five contests came against the Colorado Avalanche as they defeated them 5-3 last Monday.
Francouz will draw his second straight start after stopping 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Avalanche's backup has been up and down this season as shown by his 3-5-0 record, .911 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, whose only win in the last five contests came against the Colorado Avalanche as they defeated them 5-3 last Monday.
Blackwood last played on Nov. 3rd and left early due to a knee injury. Monday he was reassigned to Utica (AHL) on a conditioning basis. When he does return he will be hoping for better luck than his first seven games with the Devils, where he was 4-2-0 with a .880 SV% and 2.79 GAA.
Nichuskin has not played since October 25th due to a foot injury but is a game-time decision Friday to return to the injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche. Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old was one of the NHL's hottest players with seven goals, five assists and 26 SOG through only seven games to start the season.
Ranta had three goals, three assists and eight PIMs across 14 games with the Colorado Eagles prior to his promotion to the Avalanche Wednesday. Ranta failed to pick up a point in his previous five-games with the Avalanche and will hope for a call-up again soon to pick up his first career point in 15 GP when he does make his way back into the lineup.
Kelly will head to the press box as the odd man out for the second time this season as Ottawa takes on Dallas Thursday. Kelly has struggled this season, collecting only one assist, 18 PIMs and 16 SOG through 24 GP while playing limited minutes averaging 8:43 TOI.
Manson left the Avalanches' game on Dec. 1st vs. Buffalo with a lower-body injury after playing only 10:17 TOI. It is yet another injury for Colorado, which is without several key roster pieces. Manson has two goals, six points and 40 PIMs through 21 games this season.
