Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will rest some key players, including Martin Necas. The 27-year-old Czech forward recorded an assist in the final minutes on Colorado's previous game, helping him reach the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career (38G / 62A).
It's unclear which goalie will be in Colorado's crease to start the postseason, but the more consistent Wedgewood will tend the twine in their final game of the season. The 33-year-old Wedgewood was excellent in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers. Since mid-March, Wedgewood has an outstanding 1.22 GAA and .947 SV% in his last seven games (5-1-1). The Avalanche enter Thursday's contest as -174 home favourites against a Seattle Kraken team that was defeated 4-1 by the Vegas Golden Knights last night.
Jani Nyman will draw into Seattle's lineup on Wednesday, sending Schwartz to the sidelines. The 33-year-old Schwartz finishes the 2025-26 season with 26 points (11G / 15A) in 50 games.
Makar has been out since March 30th with an upper-body injury but will return to Colorado's lineup on Monday. Devon Toews (maintenance) will sit in his place. Makar currently sits at 20 goals and 75 points in 73 games played this season.
Nelson will get the night off on Tuesday as the Avalanche gear up for their post-season. Artturi Lehkonen (maintenance) will return to the lineup in his place.
Toews will get the night off on Tuesday as the Avalanche gear up for their post-season. Cale Makar (upper-body) will return to the lineup in his place.
Lehkonen will slot back in on Tuesday after sitting out Monday night's game for rest. Brock Nelson (maintenance) will sit in his place.
With Blackwood struggling in recent games, it seems likely that Colorado will turn to Scott Wedgewood to tend the twine to start the postseason, but they will turn to Blackwood on Tuesday in their penultimate game of the regular season. The 29-year-old Blackwood was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, Blackwood has an ugly 3.52 GAA and .873 SV% in his last five appearances (1-2-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -139 road favourites against a Calgary Flames team they have outscored 12-3 in two games over the past two weeks (2-0-0).
Juulsen has been out since April 3rd but will draw back into the Flyers lineup on Tuesday vs. Montreal with the team sitting nine regular players due to rest. Juulsen made his Flyers debut this season and has appeared in 51 games, picking up a goal, 10 points and a +2 plus/minus.
With Blackwood struggling in recent games, it seems likely that Colorado will turn to Scott Wedgewood to tend the twine to start the postseason, but they will turn to Blackwood on Tuesday in their penultimate game of the regular season. The 29-year-old Blackwood was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, Blackwood has an ugly 3.52 GAA and .873 SV% in his last five appearances (1-2-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -139 road favourites against a Calgary Flames team they have outscored 12-3 in two games over the past two weeks (2-0-0).
Bardakov will slot in for Artturi Lehkonen, who is being rested on Monday. Bardakov has one goal and nine assists in 57 games this season.
Lehkonen is presumably getting the night off for rest on Monday as the Avalanche have already clinched the President's Trophy as the best team in the regular season. Lehkonen has enjoyed another productive season in Denver, tallying 20 goals and 27 assists in 68 games.
Wedgwood will be back between the pipes for the Avalanche on Monday after serving as Mackenzie Blackwood's backup in each of the last two games. Wedgewood turned in another strong performance in his last outing, allowing just a single goal on 19 shots in a 3-1 win in St. Louis on Tuesday. The 33-year-old netminder has enjoyed a career year in Denver, posting an outstanding 29-6-6 record while leading the NHL in both SV% (.918) and GAA (2.10). Wedgewood and the Avs enter action in Edmonton as slight favourites at -120 on the money line.
With the Presidents' Trophy already secured by the Colorado Avalanche, Manson will have the night off to rest on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 34-year-old Manson has played all 79 games for Colorado this season, tallying 31 points (5G / 26A).
Makar has been out since March 30th with an upper-body injury but returned to Colorado's practice in a regular jersey on Friday. The two time Norris winning defensemen return is a welcome sign for the league-leading Avalanche, but he will miss at least one more game. Makar is expected to be fully healthy for the playoffs and currently sits at 20-goals and 75 points in 73 games played this season.
Hughes will join the Colorado Eagles on an AHL Professional Tryout agreement (PTO) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Makar has been out since March 30th with an upper-body injury but returned to Colorado's practice in a regular jersey on Friday. The two time Norris winning defensemen return is a welcome sign after Colorado locked up the Presidents Trophy on Thursday. Makar is expected to be full healthy for the playoffs and currently sits at 20-goals and 75 points in 73 games played this season.
Kadri was limited to only 6:09 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues due to an upper-body injury. The severity of Kadri's injury is unclear, but with the playoffs fast approaching, Colorado has erred on the side of caution with several minor injuries over the past weeks. The 35-year-old Kadri has nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 game with Colorado since being acquired at the trade deadline.
