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.
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.
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.
Kadri has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Thursday in Arizona. Kadri was back centring a line with Patrick Marleau and Leo Komarov on his wings. Kadri isn’t having the same offensive season he had a year ago, but has 13 goals and 10 assists in 38 games—putting him on-pace for 27 goals and 21 assists (48 points) in 80 games.
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.
Wedgewood allowed three goals on 45 shots in the Coyotes overtime loss in Vegas on Sunday. Antti Raanta has been cleared to play tonight, but Wedgewood will start tonight in Boston. He has appeared in the previous six games, posting a 2.44 GAA and .922 SV%.
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.
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.
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.
Kulak was a healthy scratch on Saturday but he will replace Matt Bartkowski in the lineup tonight vs. Toronto. Kulak has just three assists in 14 games this season.
Wedgewood stopped 23 of 25 shots in the Coyotes win over the Kings on Friday. It was a nice start for Wedgewood, who is filling in for the injured Antti Raanta again. Wedgewood has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.74 GAA and .911 SV% in four starts and two relief appearances since joining the Coyotes via trade.
