Colorado Avalanche News

Coyle will likely be Colorado's third-line center, a role more suited for the 33-year-old forward than he was deployed this season as a Boston Bruin. The 13-year veteran forward averaged 17:38 time-on-ice and scored 22 points (15G / 7A) in 64 games with Boston this season.

After being rumored in a trade all season, Nelson has been dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Nelson averaged 19:21 time-on-ice and scored 43 points (20G / 23A) in 61 games this season. He scored 20 or more goals in nine of his 12 seasons in New York and will provide some much needed depth down the middle for Colorado. Nelson will likely suit up on Colorado's second line with Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin.

With Jimmy Vesey making his Colorado debut on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, Wood will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:22 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 28 games this season.

With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 59 games this season.

Middleton has not played since February 22nd but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:45 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in a career-high 28 games this season.

Manson has not played since February 4th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season.

Colorado has outscored their opposition 14-4 during a three-game winning streak and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes in a meeting against his former club, the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been excellent since joining Colorado, posting a 2.12 GAA, .921 SV%, and two shutouts in 25 games (16-7-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as enormous -396 home favorites against a Sharks team on a rare two-game winning streak.

Manson has not played since February 4th, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season.

Necas was battling nausea in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing only 15:23 time-on-ice. His status is unclear for Colorado's next contest on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Necas has been terrific since joining the Avalanche, scoring 13 points (4G / 9A) in 13 games.

Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Wedgewood has only played once in over a month but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has been solid in limited action with Colorado this season, posting a 2.36 GAA and .908 SV% in 10 appearances (5-4-0). The Avalanche enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable -271 home favorites against a Penguins squad coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Colorado snapped a two-game losing skid in their most recent outing, an impressive 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils when Blackwood saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%). The 28-year-old Blackwood will likely return to Colorado's crease on Friday, looking to build on his 2.12 GAA and .922 SV% through 24 games (15-7-2) with the team. Colorado enters Friday's contest as significant -315 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild squad that lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club last night.

Colorado has lost two consecutive games, outscored 5-2, since returning to action from the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and will attempt to return to the win column with Blackwood tending the twine on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Blackwood allowed three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He has a 2.17 GAA and .921 SV% in 23 games (14-7-2) with Colorado this season. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -150 home favorites against a New Jersey squad coming off a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators.

Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 21 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season.

Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 19 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season. His next chance to return to the lineup will be when Colorado returns home to host the New Jersey Devils on February 26th.

Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 19 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season.