Kiviranta missed the last five games with an illness but will replace Jacob Peterson in the lineup on Monday. Kiviranta has just one goal with five assists (six points) in 51 games this season.
Toews is dealing with a minor undisclosed injury and will not play Monday vs. the Capitals. The Avalanche said Toews' injury is expected to be short-term and he would play if it were the playoffs. Kurtis MacDermid will replace Toews in the lineup.
Blankenburg was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Michigan who signed with the Blue Jackets last week. Blankenburg is an undersized defenseman (5-foot-8, 152 lbs) who had 14 goals with 15 assists (29 points) in 38 games at Michigan.
Aamodt wis an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State U - Mankato. The 24-year-old scored six goals with six assists (12 points) in 41 games this season. He's expected to report to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
Kiviranta has been a healthy scratch for the last two games and will miss a third straight on Tuesday.
Merkley played 12:23 in Vancouver on Saturday but will be scratched in favour of Nicolas Meloche on Tuesday.
Landeskog underwent a procedure on his knee in mid-March and resumed skating this week. All signs are pointing toward Landeskog being on track to be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.
Kadri suffered an upper-body injury vs. the Sharks on March 31st and despite finishing that game, is going to sideline him for an extended period of time. The Avalanche are expecting him back for the playoffs, whether that's game 1 or not remains to be seen.
Nichushkin missed Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh but will play Friday in Winnipeg. Nichushkin has quietly had an outstanding season, tallying 19 goals with 21 assists (40 points) in 51 games. Recently he's played an expanded role, averaging an incredible 21:25 TOI/gm in his last 11 games.
Merkley was a minus-1 in 14:10 TOI on Tuesday but will be replaced by Nicolas Meloche tonight vs. the Flames.
