With Derek Forbort (personal) being away from the team, Vancouver has recalled Brannstrom from the Abbortsford Canucks (AHL). The 25-year-old Brannstrom was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason before being traded to the Canucks earlier this month. Brannstrom spent last season with the Ottawa Senators, tallying 20 points (3G / 17A) in 76 games.
Colorado’s list of key injuries continues to grow after Miles Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI. Coach Jared Bednar did not have any updates in Colorado’s post-game press conference and confirm Wood was still being evaluated.
O'Brien will take a seat on Wednesday after drawing into the lineup for Monday's game in New Jersey. Michael Carcone will re-enter the lineup in his place.
Carcone will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Monday's game in New Jersey. Liam O'Brien will sit in his place.
Ludvig will draw back out of the lineup after making his Avalanche debut against the Islanders on Monday. Calvin de Haan will re-enter the lineup in his place.
de Haan will re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch for Monday's game against the Islanders. John Ludvig will sit in his place.
Korpisalo will get the surprise start in Colorado on Wednesday, making his first appearance since Boston's season opener on October 8th. Korpisalo struggled in his Bruins debut, allowing six goals on 35 shots as Boston suffered a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Panthers. He'll have his hands full again on Wednesday as Boston enters action as +115 underdogs in Denver.
For the fourth straight game to start the season, the winless Avalanche (0-3-0) will turn to Georgiev between the pipes again. Georgiev has struggled immensely early in the 2024-25 campaign, including being pulled twice, posting an abysmal 6.58 GAA and .787 SV% in three outings (0-2-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 season as well, showcasing a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). If Georgiev can't turn his game around soon, it likely won't be long before Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff give Justus Annunen a chance to overtake the starting position in goal. Colorado enters action on Wednesday as a -124 home favorite against the Boston Bruins.
Nylander was absent from practice on Tuesday due to an illness but appears to be good to go for Wednesday's game. Nylander has two points (2G / 0A) in three games this season.
Pacioretty was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, and he could be a victim of the illness that has been travelling around the Leafs' dressing room. Pacioretty has one goal and four shots on goal in his first three games with Toronto.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice. He is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Merzlikins' injury is expected to be short-term. Daniil Tarasov will likely get the start on Thursday, with Jet Greaves coming up from Cleveland (AHL) to serve as his backup. Though two starts, Merzlikins is 0-2-0 with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.
Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated that starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins needed a few days to rest and gather himself, resulting in the call-up of Greaves. The 23-year-old Greaves played nine games with the Blue Jackets last season (3-6-0), posting a 3.49 GAA and .908 SV%.
Gudbranson was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. Florida early due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on IR on Wednesday. The 32-year-old stay-at-home defender had yet to pick up a point in any of his three appearances this season but had two PIMs and averaged 15:46 TOI/GP
Bortuzzo, the 35-year-old stay-at-home defenseman, is entering his 14th NHL season and has 20 goals and 74 points in 560 career games played. He will provide Utah with some much-needed defensive depth, especial with Sean Durzi (upper body) out of the lineup indefinitely.
Michael Carcone will replace O'Brien on Wednesday. O'Brien has played in two of four games for Utah HC so far this season, recording one shot on goal and 10 hits.
Liam O'Brien will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Carcone to re-enter the lineup for Utah HC. Carcone has been held without a point in two games so far this season.
