Colorado Avalanche News

Blackwood will start Game 3 against the Stars.

As expected, the Avalanche will turn back to Blackwood between the pipes for the third game of their opening round series against the Stars. After a fantastic performance in Game 1, Blackwood's play regressed in Game 2, as he allowed four goals on 39 shots in the 4-3 overtime defeat. Blackwood guided the team to a 22-12-3 record in his 36 starts during the regular season, so Jared Bednar's confidence in his starting netminder is understandably unshaken ahead of Game 3. The Avalanche enter action on Wednesday at -190 on the money line.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Landeskog (knee) will return to the Avalanche lineup for Game 3 against the Stars.

Landeskog participated in the pregame skate on Monday but was a late scratch, delaying his return to the lineup. He has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche captain will make his remarkable return to the lineup for the third game of the series, with the Stars and Avs tied at a game a piece.

Gabriel Landeskog
Landeskog (knee) has a good chance to make his season debut on Wednesday vs. Dallas for Game 3.

Landeskog participated in the pregame skate on Monday but was a late scratch, delaying his return to the lineup. He has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but implied a realistic chance that he returns to the lineup on Wednesday for Game 3.

Gabriel Landeskog
Wood will draw into the Avalanche lineup for Game 2 in Dallas.

After much speculation that Gabriel Landeskog (knee) could draw in for Ross Colton (lower-body), it will in fact be Miles Wood that enters Colorado's lineup. Wood finished the regular season with four goals and four assists in 37 games.

Miles Wood
Landeskog (knee) is listed as a scratch on the official roster report.

Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but stated he was an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go. Ultimately, it will be Miles Wood that replaces Colton on Monday.

Gabriel Landeskog
Blackwood will start Game 2 in Dallas.

Blackwood was outstanding in Saturday's Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars and will return to the crease on Monday for Game 2. The 28-year-old Blackwood faced several high-danger chances, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), including several early before the game became out of reach in an eventual 5-1 victory. Colorado enters game two as -148 road favorites against Dallas.

Mackenzie Blackwood
The Avalanche have activated Gabriel Landeskog (knee) from LTIR.

Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but he is an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go, which seems more likely after being activated from LTIR.

Gabriel Landeskog
Blackwood is expected to start Game 2 in Dallas.

Blackwood was outstanding in Saturday's Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars and will likely return to the crease on Monday for Game 2. The 28-year-old Blackwood faced several high-danger chances, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), including several early before the game became out of reach in an eventual 5-1 victory. Colorado enters game two as -148 road favorites against Dallas.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Colton (lower-body) will be a game-time decision in Game 2.

Colton left Game 1 with lower-body injury and did not return. The Avalanche coaching staff said that Colton is feeling "not great," so he seems closer to doubtful than questionable. Gabriel Landeskog is an option to replace Colton in the lineup if he's unable to play.

Ross Colton
Landeskog has been returned to the Avalanche from his conditioning loan with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

After a brief two-game stint with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), scoring two points (1G / 1A), Landeskog has returned to the Avalanche. The 32-year-old Landeskog looked poised in controlled deployment in the AHL but it's unclear if he will be an option for the Avalanche in game one of the playoffs. Landeskog missed the entire 2022-23 regular season as he recovered from knee surgery and followed that up with a cartilage transplant in his right knee during the offseason. He has 571 points (248G/323A) and a +77 plus/minus across 738 career NHL games.

Gabriel Landeskog
Innala has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Innala was recalled from Colorado's final two games of the season but failed to put up a point and has been returned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) as the Stanley Cup Playoffs commence. It was a forgettable first NHL season for the 27-year-old Finnish forward, who failed to pick up a point in each of his 17 games played for Colorado this season.

Jere Innala
Aamodt has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

With the end of Colorado's regular season, Wyatt Aamodt has been returned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) after a short, two-game showing over the weekend. The 27-year-old undrafted free agent picked up the first goal of his career in only his second game on Sunday vs. Anaheim and will look to take his newfound scoring touch into the AHL playoffs.

Wyatt Aamodt
Ahcan has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

With Colorado securing their playoff position early, Jack Ahcan had a short, two-game showing with the Avalanche and has been returned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on Monday. The 27-year-old had previously appeared in nine NHL games (with Boston) but hadn't appeared in the NHL since 2021-22.

Jack Ahcan