Middleton is a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the Flames.
Middleton will take a seat on Thursday as Calvin de Haan draws into the lineup in his place. Middleton has zero goals and two assists in 26 games this season.
Colorado Avalanche News
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start in Calgary on Thursday.
Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).
Manson (lower-body) will miss Colorado's next two games before the 4-Nations Face-Off.
Manson exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will be shut down for Colorado's final two games before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season. Oliver Kylington will return from an undisclosed injury to replace Manson.
Goalie Start
Blackwood was the first goalie off the ice at Colorado's morning skate.
Colorado will likely roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).
Manson (lower-body) left Tuesday’s game vs. Vancouver and will not return.
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Blackwood will make his 19th start as a member of the Avalanche when Colorado travels to Vancouver on Tuesday. Blackwood is red-hot coming into Tuesday night's matchup, posting back-to-back shutouts against the Blues and Flyers, respectively. The 28-year-old netminder is enjoying life in Denver, registering a 12-5-2 record and a .925 SV% since being acquired from the Sharks earlier this season. He's got a good chance of staying in the win column on Tuesday as the Avalanche enter action at -150 on the money line.
Nichushkin (lower-body) has been placed on IR retroactive to December 31st.
Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
Wedgewood (upper-body) is day-to-day and will travel with Colorado on their upcoming road trip.
Line Change
Vesey will draw back into New York's lineup on Sunday vs. Vegas.
Line Change
Johnson will draw back into Philadelphia's lineup on Sunday in Colorado.
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start vs. Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Avalanche have recalled Trent Miner from Colorado (AHL).
Wedgewood (undisclosed) missed Saturday's practice and is questionable for Sunday.
Middleton will draw into the Avalanche lineup on Friday.
Middleton will slot in for Calvin de Haan, who is a healthy scratch on Friday. Middleton is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in 23 games this season.
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start vs. St. Louis.
Colorado has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1), and will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Blackwood has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in five straight (1-3-1), posting a .874 SV%. He has a 2.28 GAA and .918 SV% in 17 games with the Avalanche this season (10-5-2). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against a St. Louis team outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Goalie Start
Blackwood is expected to start vs. St. Louis on Friday.
Colorado has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1), and will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Blackwood has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in five straight (1-3-1), posting a .874 SV%. He has a 2.28 GAA and .918 SV% in 17 games with the Avalanche this season (10-5-2). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against a St. Louis team outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Line Change
Johnson will be a healthy scratch vs. New York on Thursday.
Recently recalled Adam Ginning will make his Flyers' season debut on Thursday, resulting in Johnson being a healthy scratch. The veteran Johnson is averaging 13:29 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 games this season.
Nichushkin (lower-body) is expected to return during Colorado's 4 Nations break.
Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback last week, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
Middleton will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday in New York.
Calvin de Haan will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Tuesday against the New York Islanders, sending Middleton to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:25 time-on-ice, recording one points (0G / 1A), 15 blocks, and 38 hits in 23 games this season.
Goalie Start
Blackwood will start in New York on Tuesday.
Colorado is coming off a roller-coaster 5-4 win over the New York Rangers and will roll with Blackwood between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Blackwood was outstanding to start his tenure with the Avalanche, allowing fewer than three goals in 12 straight (9-2-1) and posting a sublime .938 SV%. The 28-year-old netminder has not been as dominant since, allowing three or more in four straight (1-2-1), posting a .879 SV%. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a -135 road favorite against a New York team amid a four-game winning streak.