Colorado Avalanche News

Kiviranta has no points in seven NHL games but has 20 points (11G / 9A) in 38 AHL games this season. With Roope Hintz and Justin Dowling out, Kiviranta will be on the fourth line on Saturday.

Lehkonen missed practice the last two days and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Monitor his status during the Canadiens' morning skate in Buffalo.

Blackwood allowed one goal on 14 shots after replacing Cory Schneider in the Devils loss in Columbus on January 18th. Blackwood has gone winless in his previous three starts, allowing a combined 13 goals on 99 shots (.869 SV%). In his first two starts vs. the Senators, Blackwood went 1-1-0 while giving up six goals on 47 shots (.872 SV%).

Francouz allowed four goals on 30 shots in Colorado's loss to the Penguins on January 10th. Francouz has lost three in a row while allowing 10 goals on 95 shots (.895 SV%). Despite a few tough outings in a row, he is 11-4-2 with a .926 SV% on the season, so you should be able to trust him this afternoon vs. the last place Red Wings.

Blackwood has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could be in-line to start Saturday's game in Columbus. Blackwood has struggled recently, losing three in a row while allowing a combined 13 goals on 99 shots (.867 SV%).

Blackwood underwent dental work after Tuesday's game vs. the Islanders but started Thursday, where he was eventually yanked. It looks like the Devils will give him a night off on Saturday to get back to 100 percent, so Evan Cormier comes up to serve as Louis Domingue's backup.

Francouz stopped 32 of 33 shots in Colorado's 1-0 loss to the Islanders on Monday. Francouz has played very well since the middle of December, going 4-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .940 SV% in his last six outings. Tonight he faces a Penguins team that has gone 6-1-0 while averaging 3.86 goals per game in their last seven road games.

Blackwood allowed four goals on 41 shots in the Devils loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. He has now lost two in a row while giving up four goals in both starts and tonight he faces the Rangers for the third time this season--he is 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .906 SV% in the first two meetings.

Blackwood gave up four goals on 33 shots inn the Devils loss to the Avalanche on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Blackwood, who will make his seventh consecutive start on Tuesday. He is 4-1-1 with a 2.63 GAA and .914 SV% in his previous six outings, which includes a 29-save performance in a 2-1 win over the Islanders last Thursday.

Kamenev played Saturday in New Jersey, collecting an assist in 9:37 TOI but will be a healthy scratch for the 12th time in 13 games on Monday. Valeri Nichushkin will return from illness to replace Kamenev.

Nichushkin missed Saturday's game in New Jersey but will replace Vladislav Kamenev Monday vs. the Islanders. Nichushkin has one goal and four assists (five points) in his last six games.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home-ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Olofsson had to be helped off of the ice on Thursday and it looked like he could miss a few weeks. The Sabres confirmed that it will be 5-to-6 weeks, which sidelines him until at least mid-February. This is a huge blow for the Sabres and Olofsson's rookie of the year chances. The 24-year-old is second on the team in goals (16) and points (35) this season.

Kiviranta was called up from the AHL on Thursday and will replace Corey Perry in the lineup vs. the Red Wings. Perry is facing a suspension for his hit on Ryan Ellis in the Winter Classic, opening the door for Kiviranta's debut on the Stars fourth line.

Olofsson had to be helped down the tunnel after suffering a lower-body injury on the Sabres' game-tying goal. The Sabres quickly recalled Scott Wilson from Rochester on Friday morning, suggesting that Olofsson is going to miss some time. Expect the Sabres to release a more detailed injury update in the next 24 hours.

Kiviranta is in his first year in North America and has tallied 18 points (9G / 9A) in 33 games with Texas this season. Kiviranta's call-up is likely a reaction to the Corey Perry hearing. Perry elbowed Ryan Ellis in the head during the Winter Classic and will likely be suspended for Friday's game, opening the door for Kiviranta to make his NHL debut.