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.
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 four-game stint with the Avalanche a few weeks back and will hope to pick up his first career point in 14 GP when he does make his way back into the lineup.
MacKinnon left Monday's game in Boston with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss at least one month. If MacKinnon is out for exactly four weeks, he'll miss 14 games and will be back around early-to-mid January. The Avalanche are incredibly banged up right now, so their lineup will likely be very fluid for the next few games.
Lehkonen was hurt in Boston on Saturday and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. With Lehkonen sidelined, Charles Hudon was recalled from the Avalanche and will make his debut on Monday. Alex Newhook will move up to the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
Lehkonen suffered an upper-body injury in Boston on Saturday and is questionable to play Monday. The Avalanche recalled Charles Hudon from the AHL on Sunday, a sign that Lehkonen will not be available.
Barre-Boulet played 10:01 and has one SOG in his only game with Tampa Bay prior to being assigned to the minor leagues. He will head back to Syracuse (AHL) where he holds the current lead among all AHL skaters in scoring after putting up 24 points (4G/20A) in 16 games.
Colton missed the Lightnings' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Friday vs. St. Louis. Prior to the injury, the three-year pro was having his best season to date with four goals and nine points along with 14 PIMs through 18 games this season.
Barre-Boulet earned his call-up as he holds the current lead among all AHL skaters in scoring after putting up 24 points (4G/20A) in 16 games with Syracuse (AHL). The 25-year-old has previously played in 31 NHL games, scoring six goals and nine points.
Ranta has no points in three games with the Avalanche so far this season. The 22-year-old has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 AHL games, and he's expected to play Friday with Evan Rodrigues sidelined by a lower-body injury.
Girard has missed Colorado's previous six games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup Wednesday vs. Vancouver. The 24-year-old had a goal and three assists through 11 games prior to his injury while playing 18:16 ATOI.
Francouz was great for a second straight performance his last time out, stopping 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) as he stole a victory over Carolina. The Avalanche's backup has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2-3-0 record along with a .925 SV% and 2.42 GAA. He faces off against the struggle Vancouver Canucks who rank 23rd in the NHL in shots per game (30.2) but sixth in goals per game (3.47).
Francouz was great for a second straight performance his last time out, stopping 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) as he stole a victory over Carolina. The Avalanche's backup has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2-3-0 record along with a .925 SV% and 2.42 GAA. He faces off against the struggle Vancouver Canucks who rank 23rd in the NHL in shots per game (30.2) but sixth in goals per game (3.47).
