Colorado Avalanche News

Drouin was a late scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence until before warmups. Caleb Jones drew into the lineup on Wednesday as the Avalanche opted to dress seven defensemen. Drouin has six points (2G / 4A) in his last seven games.

Parise has been effective since being signed by Coloraod last month but has missed the last three games due to a lower-body injury. The 39-year-old forward has seven points (4G / 3A) in 15 games while averaging 14:15 time-on-ice.

Lehkonen has been absent from the last two games but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old Lehkonen has been tremendous lately, tallying 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 12 games.

Sharks head coach Dan Quinn stated earlier today that multiple Sharks were dealing with an illness, so that is what's likely holding MacDonald out of the lineup. Kevin Labanc will draw in as the Sharks will be forced to dress 13 forwards and only five defensemen.

Drouin was a late scratch on Wednesday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Caleb Jones will draw into the lineup as the Avs opt to dress seven defensemen.

Georgiev will be back between the pipes for the Avalanche on Wednesday after Justus Annunen got the nod in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Flames. Georgiev's last appearance came on Friday against the Wild, when he allowed just a single goal on 30 shots as Colorado managed to pick up the overtime victory over the Wild. Georgiev owns a rather disappointing .901 SV% on the season but has still managed a 33-15-3 record thanks to some outstanding goal support. He'll have his hands full on Wednesday when he and the Avs travel to Vancouver to take on the leaders of the Western Conference.

Lehkonen has been absent from the last two practices and will not play against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old Lehkonen has been tremendous lately, tallying 13 points (8G / 5A) in his last 12 games. Valeri Nichushkin is expected to take Lehkonen's spot on the top powerplay unit.

Annunen has started two of the last five games for the Avalanche and will return to the crease on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has only allowed two total goals across his last three games (2-0-1) and is riding a two-game shutout streak, saving 61 consecutive shots. Colorado enters action as a -164 road favourite against the Calgary Flames.

Annunen has started two of the last five games for the Avalanche and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has only allowed two total goals across his last three games (2-0-1) and is riding a two-game shutout streak, saving 61 consecutive shots. Colorado enters action as a -164 road favourite against the Calgary Flames.

The Avalanche have opted to recall Fredrik Olofsson, resulting in Wagner being reassigned to the Eagles (AHL). Wagner has predominantly been a healthy scratch this season but has appeared in nine games for the Avalanche, tallying one point (0G / 1A).

Wagner will be the odd-man out on Friday as Yakov Trenin and Brandon Duhaime will make their Avalanche debut. He has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.

Kelly will be sidelined for two games after his hit on Englund in Thursday's game in Los Angeles. Kelly will be eligible to return from his suspension for next Thursday's game in Columbus.

Annunen has earned more time between the crease lately, starting two of the last four games for the Avalanche, but might be sidelined on Friday due to an illness. Annunen is riding a two-game shutout streak, both against the Chicago Blackhawks, saving 61 consecutive shots.

After trading Ryan Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Avalanche filled their center-ice gap by acquiring Mittelstadt via trade from the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Mittelstadt was enjoying his best season with the Sabres, with 47 points (14G / 33A) in 62 games.

Parise has been effective since being signed by Coloraod last month but will miss his first game on Friday due to a lower-body injury. The 39-year-old Forward has seven points (4G / 3A) in 15 games while averaging 14:15 time-on-ice.