Makar missed some time during training camp but participated in the final practice before entering the bubble. While speaking with the media on Monday, Makar said "I feel perfect now," which is a great sign for the Avalanche, who begins Western Conference round-robin play on Sunday. Makar had 50 points (12G / 38A) in 57 games during his rookie campaign and had six points (1G / 5A) in 10 playoff games last year.
MacDonald spent the entire 2019-20 season in the AHL, picking up 16 goals with 26 assists (42 points) in 56 games. His 42 points led all Colorado (AHL) defensemen and was fourth among all AHL blueliners.
Tynan picked up just one assist in 16 NHL games this season, spending most of the year in the AHL. While with the Colorado Eagles, he picked up five goals and 42 assists, leading the team with 47 points and being named an AHL All-Star.
Ahcan was an undrafted free-agent defenseman out of St. Cloud State. The 22-year-old led all team defensemen with 25 points (7G / 18A) in 33 games. Ahcan will likely join the Providence Bruins (AHL) next season.
MacKinnon left Monday's game with a lower-body injury after getting tangled up with Martin Frk. The 1-2 week timeline means MacKinnon will miss 4-8 games. Martin Kaut was recalled from Colorado (AHL) and will draw into the lineup to replace MacKinnon on Wednesday. However, Vladislav Namestnikov could be the one to shift to centre on the first line.
Francouz allowed three goals on 35 shots in Colorado's loss in Los Angeles on Monday. Francouz will make his fifth straight start tonight despite losing three of his last four (1-2-1) while posting a 3.70 GAA and .868 SV%. In come the Rangers, who have won 10 of their last 11 road games while averaging 3.73 goals per game.
Makar missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play tonight vs. the Rangers. Makar will likely replace Kevin Connauton and comes in with five assists in his last 10 games.
Francouz allowed three goals on 25 shots in Colorado's win in San Jose last night. The win ended a brief two-game losing stream for Francouz but he's now surrendered a combined 12 goals on 79 shots (.848 SV%) in his last three games. In his first start against the Kings, Francouz allowed one goal on 21 shots in a 2-1 shootout win (Feb.22).
Blackwood allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Devils win in New York on Saturday. Blackwood is now an impressive 7-1-1 while posting a 1.76 GAA, .953 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine starts. Tonight he faces the Penguins for the third time this season--he is 1-1-0 while giving up five goals on 75 shots (.933 SV%) in the first two meetings of the season.
Manson is nearing a return to the Ducks lineup and with Brendan Guhle being sent to the AHL on Saturday, it seems likely that he'll play Sunday vs. the Wild. Manson has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and his return could very well see him lead the Ducks battered blueline in ice-time. He has just one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 47 games this season.
Blackwood allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Devils loss in Vegas on Tuesday. Since the start of February, Blackwood has gone 6-1-1 while leading the NHL in GAA (1.48) and SV% (.961). Against the Rangers this year, Blackhawks has gone 1-2-0 while giving up 10 goals on 78 shots (.872 SV%).
The Avalanche start a three-game road trip Friday in Vancouver but Makar did not join the team for the start of the trip. This rules him out of tonight's game but head coach Jared Bednar said that the rookie defenseman could join them on the road at some point.
Makar was not on the ice for the morning skate and will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Makar is listed as day-to-day, so considering him questionable for Friday's game in Vancouver.
Francouz stopped 30 of 32 shots in Colorado’s win in Nashville last Saturday. Michael Hutchinson gave him the night off on Monday, so they’ll come back to Francouz tonight vs. the Ducks. Francouz has won six straight games with a 1.32 GAA, .957 SV% and one shutout and faces an Anaheim team that has gone 2-5-1 while scoring 2.38 goals per game in their last eight games.
Blackwood allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Devils loss in Los Angeles on Saturday. Blackwood was on an absolute heater in February, going 6-0-1 with a 1.27 GAA, .967 SV% and two shutouts in his last seven starts. In his first start vs. the Golden Knights, Blackwood surrendered four goals on 30 shots in a 4-3 loss (Dec.3).
Francouz allowed two goals on 47 shots in Colorado’s win in Carolina last night. With Philipp Grubauer still out, Francouz will start for the second straight night and will be looking for his sixth straight win. He’s posted a 1.18 GAA, .961 SV% and one shutout in his previous five outings.
