Colorado Avalanche News

Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will likely return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.

Girard returned to practice, skating as an extra, for the first time after entering the players' assistance program nearly one month ago. Girard has played 15 games this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in his first 13 before tripling that with three points (2G / 1A) in his last two games. During Girard's absence, Josh Manson has seen a significant uptick in usage and production.

Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.

Cogliano played 11:52 time-on-ice in his last game and recorded an assist along with three shots on goal but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and will be out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 36-year-old Cogliano has nine points (3G / 6A) in 27 games this season.

Georgiev served as the backup for the Avalanche in two straight games last week but will likely return to the crease after a strong performance in their last game, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Georgiev has an unimpressive 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 24 games this season (15-7-1) but has a favourable matchup on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he saved 18 shots against on October 19th for his only shutout of the season.

Makar has not played since exiting Colorado's December 13th contest against the Buffalo Sabres after playing only 17:21 and will miss his third straight contest on Tuesday. Makar has been outstanding this season, scoring 37 points (8G / 29A) in 27 games but will not play for the fifth time in the last nine games as injuries are beginning to become a concern for the elite defenseman. Devon Toews has manned the blueline on the powerplay in Makar's absence.

With Evgeny Kuznetsov set to miss Thursday's game with an illness, Phillips will retake his spot in the lineup after sitting out each of the last two games. Phillips has just one goal to go along with four assists in 18 games with the Capitals this season. He'll start the game alongside Joe Snively and T.J. Oshie on Washington's third line.

Manson was once again listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday's game vs. the Sabres but he's good to go for the 13th straight game. Manson has picked up seven points (2G / 5A) in 25 games this season but has been especially hot as of late, with two goals and four assists (six points) in his last six games.

Manson was a game-time decision for Colorado's previous game but still suited up and will be one yet again Wednesday vs. Buffalo due to an undisclosed ailment. The 32-year-old bruising defensemen is off to one of his strongest offsensive seasons to date, with two goals, five assists, 37 SOG, 32 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 25 games played. If he is unable to go Wednesday, he will be replaced by Caleb Jones.

MacDonald well sit on Tuesday as Luke Kunin (upper-body) is set to return to the lineup. MacDonald has four goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

Georgiev had the night off in Colorado's 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday but will return to the crease on Monday against the Calgary Flames. The Avalanche have struggled lately, paralleled by Georgiev, who has lost three of his last four starts (1-2-1), salvaging a serviceable .907 SV%. Working to his advantage is a favourable matchup as the Avalanche are -170 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0), scoring three or fewer goals in each contest.

Kiviranta has primarily played this season on the fourth line, most recently alongside Kurtis MacDermid and Andrew Cogliano, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 14 games, averaging 10:57 time-on-ice. He is currently battling an illness and was a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames.

Manson scored two points (1G / 1A) on Saturday but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and was a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Most recently, Manson has skated on the second defensive pairing with Bowen Byram and has five points (2G / 3A), 12 hits, and 12 shots in his last five games.