Francouz will draw his second straight start after stopping 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Avalanche's backup has been up and down this season as shown by his 3-5-0 record, .911 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, whose only win in the last five contests came against the Colorado Avalanche as they defeated them 5-3 last Monday.
Blackwood last played on Nov. 3rd and left early due to a knee injury. Monday he was reassigned to Utica (AHL) on a conditioning basis. When he does return he will be hoping for better luck than his first seven games with the Devils, where he was 4-2-0 with a .880 SV% and 2.79 GAA.
Nichuskin has not played since October 25th due to a foot injury but is a game-time decision Friday to return to the injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche. Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old was one of the NHL's hottest players with seven goals, five assists and 26 SOG through only seven games to start the 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 five-games with the Avalanche and will hope for a call-up again soon to pick up his first career point in 15 GP when he does make his way back into the lineup.
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.
