Colorado Avalanche News

Gushchin, the 76th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, will make his season debut on Tuesday. He played his first two NHL games last season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) with the Sharks. This season with the Barracuda, Gushchin has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 11 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.

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.

Gushchin was the 76th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first two NHL games last season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) with the Sharks. This season with the Barracuda, Gushchin has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 11 games. In a corresponding move, Oskar Lindblom was reassigned to the AHL.

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.

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.

Blackwood will likely 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.

Jake Oettinger will get the night off on Thursday after the Stars starter stopped 43 of 46 shots in last night's 4-3 victory over the Flames. Wedgewood will be hoping to regain some of the form he flashed last season when he posted a .915 SV% across 21 appearances .Thursday night's game in Edmonton will mark Wedgewood's third start of the season. He owns a 1-1-0 record on the season to go along with his .889 SV% and 3.54 GAA. He will have his hands full tonight against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

Makar briefly left the Avalanche game on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres after being pushed into the boards by Kyle Okposo but returned shortly after. He has nine points (3G / 6A) in eight games and was a game-time decision on Wednesday.

Makar briefly left the Avalanche game on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres after being pushed into the boards by Kyle Okposo but returned shortly after. He has nine points (3G / 6A) in eight games and is expected to be a game-time decision on Wednesday. Look for Devon Toews to assume his role on the top powerplay unit. If Makar is unable to go, Caleb Jones, who was recalled earlier from the Colorado Eagles (AHL), could be an option to slide into the lineup.