Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that John Ludvig had successfully had finger surgery and is expected to be out for at least four to six months. The 23-year-old has the potential to be ready for training camp but will decide as he assesses his progress closer to next season. The 23-year-old rookie made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and had three goals, two assists, 24 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 33 games played.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Toews was hit high by Dallas' captain Jamie Benn in the second period of Game 2 and was forced to leave before returning in the third period and is not feeling any effects on Friday according to head coach Jared Bednar. The 30-year-old has been a staple on Colorado's back-end all playoffs, with a goal, five points, 10 SOG and +5 plus/minus while averaging 23:49 TOI/GP.
Drouin missed all of Colorado's opening series win over Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but travelled with the team to Dallas and took part in practice for the first time since his injury on Wednesday. The 29-year-old is one step closer to a return which is a great sign for Colorado after he posted career highs in points (56), and plus/minus (+12) across 79 games played during the regular season.
Wagner has yet to appear in the playoffs for Colorado but will draw into the lineup for Nikolai Kovalenko and play on the third line. The 32-year-old had one goal and one assist in 13 games played with the Avalanche during the regular season while averaging just 7:27 TOI/GP.
Drouin missed Colorado's entire opening series vs. Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but will travel with the Avalanche for their upcoming two opening games in Dallas and has a chance to return. The 29-year-old had a phenomenal first season in Colorado, with 19 goals, 56 points, 127 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +12 in 79 games played while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Kiviranta missed the Avalanche's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury and is a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Dallas after missing practice on Monday. The 28-year-old averaged 10:14 TOI/GP in the opening series and had an assist, two PIMs, three SOG and a +2 plus/minus in three games.
Kiviranta did not play Sunday's 5-1 game-four victory over the Winnipeg Jets and could miss a second straight game. In the series' first three games, Kiviranta tallied one assist and nine hits while averaging 10:14 ice time.
This is Wagner's second call-up since the beginning of the playoffs but he has yet to crack the Avalanche roster this postseason. The 32-year-old appeared in 13 games for the Avalanche this season, scoring a goal, two points, 16 SOG, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and was considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but appears ready to return. Caleb Jones will sit in his place.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and is considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but is on the cusp of returning. If he is unable to go, Caleb Jones will continue to lock down Colorado's third defensive pairing role.
Wagner was placed on waivers on Tuesday in hopes that he clears and can help the Colorado Eagles (AHL) during their playoff push. The 32-year-old appeared in 13 games for the Avalanche this season, scoring a goal, two points, 16 SOG, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus.
