In his first season with Montreal, Kulak split his season between the AHL and NHL. The 25-year-old had 11 points (3G / 8A) in 19 games with Laval before adding 17 points (6G / 11A) in 57 games with Montreal. Kulak figures to be a part of the Habs blueline plans to start the 2019-20 season.
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.
This is a bizarre punishment that we have never seen before but Kadri has effectively been suspended for three-to-five games. William Nylander moved to centre in Game 3 with Kadri suspended and they will likely stick with the same lineup in Game 4 after winning 3-2 last night.
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.
Kadri was not at the Maple Leafs morning skate and head coach Mike Babcock said the centre would not be available vs. the Lightning. Babcock added that there may be a press release regarding Kadri’s injury, which suggests he could miss some time. This would obviously be a huge loss heading into the playoffs if that is the case but we update any further information as it is provided.
Kulak was a healthy scratch in Anaheim but will replace Mike Reilly in the lineup vs. the Red Wings. Kulak has three goals and seven assists (10 points) in 44 games this season.
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.
