Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Colorado Avalanche News

MacKinnon (shoulder) returned to practice in a no-contact jersey on Tuesday.

MacKinnon is two weeks into a 2-4 week timetable, so he appears to be right on track in his recovery. The next step is for MacKinnon to ditch the no-contact sweater, which could happen later this week. MacKinnon will need a few practices before he’s set to return to the lineup.

Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is expected to miss 7-to-10 days with a shoulder injury.

It looks like the Avalanche avoided disaster here as MacKinnon’s shoulder injury is only expected to sideline him for about one week. The Avalanche likely won’t disclose a full timetable until Thursday but the preliminary indications are positive. MacKinnon won’t play Thursday but has not officially been ruled out for Saturday’s game.

Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and will not play Thursday in Edmonton.

MacKinnon was hurt in Tuesday’s overtime loss in Vancouver and won’t play in Edmonton. This is a horrible loss for the Avalanche, who have been absolutely carried by MacKinnon since the Matt Duchene trade. Since then, MacKinnon leads the NHL with 49 points (21G / 28A) in 36 games. It sounds like he is more day-to-day than long-term so monitor his status heading into the weekend.

Nathan MacKinnon
The Devils have recalled Mackenzie Blackwood from Binghamton (AHL).

Blackwood, 21, was a second round pick (No.42 overall) in 2015 and has earned a call-up because Cory Schneider (lower-body) and Keith Kinkaid (groin) are both hurt. Blackwood, who has gone 5-12-0 with a 3.64 GAA and .877 SV% in 23 games with Binghamton, will backup Ken Appleby on Thursday.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Wedgewood will start Friday vs. the Capitals.

Wedgewood allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Coyotes loss in Chicago on December 10th. Antti Raanta started the last three games but Wedgewood will start the front-end of the Coyotes back-to-back tonight. In his first start vs. the Capitals, Wedgewood allowed three goals on 40 shots in a 3-2 OT loss.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood will start Saturday vs. the Devils.

Wedgewood made 41 saves on 44 shots in the Coyotes loss in Calgary on Thursday. Since Antti Raanta got hurt, Wedgewood has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .899 SV% in four starts and a relief appearance. He will take on a new-look Devils team that comes in with wins in three of their last four.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood will start Thursday in Calgary.

Wedgewood allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Coyotes loss in Edmonton on Tuesday. Wedgewood is now 2-3-2 with a 2.99 GAA and .901 SV% since joining the Coyotes. While he’s filled in well for Antti Raanta, he draws a rough road matchup tonight in Calgary. The Flames have won five of their last seven home games.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood will start Tuesday in Edmonton.

Wedgwood gave up three goals on 17 shots in the Coyotes loss to Vegas on Saturday. Wedgewood is more backup material, but with Antti Raanta out, he will continue to start. Wedgewood has a 3.02 GAA and .903 SV% in seven games this season and even though the Oilers have struggled this year, Wedgewood is a risky start on the road tonight.

Scott Wedgewood