Colorado Avalanche News

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.

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.

Blackwood allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Devils shootout win over the Bruins on Tuesday. Blackwood has won three of his last four starts (3-0-1) with a 2.67 GAA and .911 SV% and tonight he faces an Islanders team that has lost three in a row (0-2-1) on home-ice while scoring 3.33 goals per game.

Blackwood allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Devils 4-3 overtime win over the Senators on Sunday. Blackwood has gone 4-1-1 with a 2.74 GAA and .910 SV% in his last six starts but draws a tough home assignment with the Bruins in town on Tuesday. Boston has won six of their last nine road games while scoring 3.56 goals per game.

Makar missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury that he suffered on December 7th. Makar will skate with Samuel Girard at even-strength and will be back on the top power-play unit in his return. He has a ridiculous eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 29 games this season.

Francouz allowed three goals on 32 shots in Colorado's win in Vegas on Monday. The Avalanche have committed to Philipp Grubauer as their No.1 netminder but will continue to ride Francouz while he is hot. Francouz has won four in a row while posting a 1.50 GAA and .956 SV%. On the season, Francouz is 5-1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .922 SV% on home-ice and is a solid option with the Wild in town--they've lost three of their last four road games.

Blackwood stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Devils win in Chicago on Monday. Blackwood has played well in his last four games, going 3-1-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%. It seems unlikely that this trend will continue moving forward, especially on Friday with the Maple Leafs in town. Toronto has won five in a row and have averaged 5.40 goals per game over that stretch.

Wagner has no points in his last seven games and will be replaced by Joakim Nordstrom vs. the Capitals.

Blackwood allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Devils win over the Canucks on Wednesday. Blackwood has won two straight and has played particularly well in his last five games, posting a 1.10 GAA and .965 SV%. As good as he's been lately, he'll be in tough against a Capitals team that has won eight of their last 10 (8-2-0) while scoring 3.40 goals per game.

Francouz stopped 37 of 38 shots in Colorado's win over the Devils last Friday. Francouz has played extremely well as of late, winning five of his last six starts (5-0-1) while posting a 1.91 GAA and .944 SV%. The first of those six games came in Chicago, where he stopped 34 of 36 shots in a 5-2 victory--he'll look to replicate that tonight.

Blackwood stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Devils' win in Arizona on Saturday. Despite posting a 1.13 GAA and .965 SV% in his last four appearances (3 starts), Blackwood has gone 1-1-1 over that span. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that played last night and has lost six of their last seven (1-4-2) road games while scoring 2.43 goals per game.

Francouz allowed one goal on 33 shots in Colorado's win over the Flyers on Wednesday. Philipp Grubauer is available tonight but they will start Francouz for the fifth straight game. Francouz has won four of his last five starts (4-0-1) while posting an impressive 2.11 GAA and .937 SV%. He has settled into the NHL very nicely and is a terrific start against a New Jersey team that has lost six in a row.

Francouz allowed one goal on 33 shots in Colorado's win over the Flyers on Wednesday. Philipp Grubauer is available tonight but they will start Francouz for the fifth straight game. Francouz has won four of his last five starts (4-0-1) while posting an impressive 2.11 GAA and .937 SV%. He has settled into the NHL very nicely and and is a terrific start against a New Jersey team that has lost six in a row.