MacDonald had one goal in two games with the Panthers last year but spend most of the season in Springfield (AHL). The 26-year-old led all Thunderbirds’ defensemen in goals (14) and points (43) in 72 games. MacDonald is likely headed to the AHL to start 2020 as well.
Kiviranta, 23, was an undrafted free agent from Finland, who had 16 goals and 15 assists (31 points) in 48 games with Sport Vaasa of the Finnish Elite League.
Francouz just finished his first full professional season in North America, going 27-20-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .918 SV% in 49 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). The 28-year-old Czech netminder also appeared in two games with the Avalanche, stopping 33 of the 35 shots (.943 SV%) he faced in 61 minutes of play. Francouz is expected to start the 2019-20 season with the Eagles.
Nelson is coming off of a career-year, having scored 25 goals and 28 assists (53 points) in 82 games. Nelson has been extremely durable, missing just two games over the last five seasons and figures to continue as the Islanders’ No.2 centre heading into the 2019-20 campaign.
Girard suffered an upper-body injury in Game 2 in Calgary and missed the next three games. With Girard returning to the lineup, the Avalanche are expected to go with 11 forwards and seven defenseman but it remains unclear whether Girard or Cale Makar will quarterback the second power-play unit—they alternated in Thursday’s practice.
Girard is dealing with an injury, missed the morning skate and will not play in Game 3 vs. the Flames. Luckily for the Avalanche, they signed top prospect Cale Makar on Sunday and he will replace Girard in the lineup and on the second power-play unit.
Makar signed his entry-level contract on Sunday and will immediately draw into the Avalanche lineup in Game 3. Makar won the Hobey Baker Award and will be paired with Patrik Nemeth and quarterback the second power-play unit.
Makar was selected No.4 overall in 2017 and signs his entry-level contract after winning the Hobey Baker Award in his sophomore season at UMass-Amherst, where he had 16 goals and 33 assists (49 points) in 41 games. The Avalanche just tied the series up in Calgary and there's a chance that Makar could draw right into the lineup in Games 3 or 4.
Blackwood allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Devils loss in Washington last Friday. Blackwood has gone 0-3-0 since being recalled from the AHL despite posting a rock-solid 1.71 GAA and .950 SV%. Tonight he faces the Flames for the second time this season—he allowed two goals on 35 shots in a 2-1 loss in New Jersey on February 27th.
Landeskog will likely miss the rest of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury in Dallas on Thursday. This is a huge blow for the Avalanche, who are just four points out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference right now. With Landeskog out, the Avalanche split Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen up at Friday’s practice. Derick Brassard and J.T. Compher were with MacKinnon and Colin Wilson and Carl Soderberg were skating alongside Rantanen.
Blackwood allowed one goal on 30 shots in the Devils 1-0 loss to the Bruins last Saturday. Since Keith Kinkaid was traded and Blackwood was recalled, the 22-year-old has gone 0-2-0 despite stopping 62 of the 65 shots (.954 SV%) that he faced. He has been solid this season but draws a tough assignment tonight—the Capitals have won five straight while averaging 4.60 goals for per game.
