Mandolese has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
Colorado Avalanche News
Line Change
Wood will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Thursday in Columbus.
With Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) and Martin Necas (undisclosed) sidelined on Thursday, Jimmy Vesey and Miles Wood will draw into Colorado's lineup. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 32 games this season.
Line Change
Vesey will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Thursday in Columbus.
With Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) and Martin Necas (undisclosed) sidelined on Thursday, Jimmy Vesey and Miles Wood will draw into Colorado's lineup. The 31-year-old Vesey is averaging 10:38 time-on-ice and has six points (4G / 2A) in 37 games this season.
Drouin (undisclosed) will be out vs. Columbus on Thursday.
Drouin did not play after the first period on Wednesday, exiting the game with only 6:16 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury, and will not play on Thursday. The 30-year-old Drouin has been productive lately, scoring nine points (2G / 7A) in his last nine games.
Necas (undisclosed) is out vs. Columbus on Thursday.
Necas played 22:35 time-on-ice, scoring a goal, Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, showing no signs of an ailment, but will be sidelined on Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old Necas has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 27 games with Colorado this season.
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start in Columbus on Thursday.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Blackwood will be tending the twine for the Avalanche on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Blackwood was solid in his previous outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.14 GAA and .919 SV% in 33 games with the Avalanche this season (21-9-3). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Columbus team that has won three of their last four games (3-1-0).
Drouin (lower-body) left Wednesday’s game vs. Chicago and will not return.
Drouin did not play after the first period on Wednesday, exiting the game with only 6:16 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. An update should be provided on Drouin before Colorado returns to the ice on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 30-year-old Drouin has been productive lately, scoring nine points (2G / 7A) in his last nine games.
Middleton is expected to draw back into Colorado's lineup in Chicago on Wednesday.
Middleton did not play in Colorado's previous game but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Middleton is averaging 11:16 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 34 games this season.
Line Change
Vesey is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Chicago on Wednesday.
Vesey recorded a -1 plus/minus in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames and will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Vesey has six points (4G / 2A) in 37 games this season.
Goalie Start
Wedgewood will start in Chicago on Wednesday.
Wedgewood and the Avalanche had a 2-0 lead over the Calgary Flames midway through the third period on Monday but ultimately lost the contest 3-2 in a shootout. He will return to the crease on Wednesday, looking to redeem himself with a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been excellent in limited action for the Avalanche this season, posting a 2.01 GAA and .919 SV% in 16 appearances (10-4-1). Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as enormous -381 road favorites against a Blackhawks team that has lost 10 of their last 11 (1-10-0).
Wedgewood was hit in the head by a puck at practice on Tuesday and was shaken up.
The Avalanche have not released any news regarding Wedgewood but recalled Kevin Mandolese from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on Wednesday, indicating that Wedgewood may be sidelined against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been excellent in limited action for the Avalanche this season, posting a 2.01 GAA and .919 SV% in 16 appearances (10-4-1).
Mandolese has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
Scott Wedgewood was shaken up at practice on Tuesday after being hit in the head with a puck, likely leading to Mandolese being called up. The 24-year-old Mandolese has a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% in 17 games (10-6-0) with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.
Kiviranta (lower-body) will travel on Colorado's road trip and is ready to return.
Kiviranta has missed three straight due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Kiviranta has a career-high 23 points (16G / 7A) in 72 games this season, including seven points (5G / 2A) in his last 14.
Goalie Start
Wedgewood will start vs. Calgary on Monday.
Colorado's four-game winning streak snapped in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and they will switch to Wedgewood tending the twine on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Wedgewood was solid in a 4-2 win over the Flames on March 14th, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%). The 32-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.02 GAA and .918 SV% in 15 appearances with Colorado this season (10-4-0). Colorado enters Monday's contest as sizeable -273 home favorites against a Flames club with points in five of their last six games (4-1-1).
Colorado has signed Taylor Makar to a one-year, entry-level contract starting in 2025-26.
Makar was a seventh-round pick, 220th overall, of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old forward spent the previous four seasons playing collegiate hockey, including scoring 30 points (18G / 12A) in 2024-25 with the University of Maine (H-East).
Line Change
Wood will be a healthy scratch on Monday vs. Calgary.
Jimmy Vesey will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Monday against the Calgary Flames, sending Wood to the press box as a healthy scratch. Wood has four points (2G / 2A) in 32 games this season and only has one assist in his last 19 contests.
Line Change
Vesey is expected to draw back into Colorado's lineup vs. Calgary on Monday.
Miles Wood will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Calgary Flames, allowing Vesey to re-enter the lineup. Vesey has not played since March 22nd and has yet to score a point in three games with Colorado.
Middleton is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Calgary on Monday.
With Erik Johnson (undisclosed) returning to the lineup on Monday against the Calgary Flames, Middleton will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Middleton is averaging 11:16 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 34 games this season.
Johnson (undisclosed) will return vs. Calgary on Monday.
Johnson has not played since March 22nd due to an undisclosed injury but he will draw back into the lineup on Monday against the Calgary Flames, replacing Keaton Middleton on the blue lin. The 37-year-old Johnson is averaging 15:32 time-on-ice, recording three blocks and eight hits in six games with Colorado.
Goalie Start
Wedgewood is expected to start vs. Calgary.
Colorado's four-game winning streak snapped in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and they will likely switch to Wedgewood tending the twine on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Wedgewood was solid in a 4-2 win over the Flames on March 14th, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%). The 32-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.02 GAA and .918 SV% in 15 appearances with Colorado this season (10-4-0). Colorado enters Monday's contest as sizeable -273 home favorites against a Flames club with points in five of their last six games (4-1-1).