Colorado Avalanche News

Colorado has lost two consecutive games, outscored 5-2, since returning to action from the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and will attempt to return to the win column with Blackwood tending the twine on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Blackwood allowed three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He has a 2.17 GAA and .921 SV% in 23 games (14-7-2) with Colorado this season. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as -150 home favorites against a New Jersey squad coming off a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators.

After serving as a healthy scratch on Thursday, Middleton will get the chance to play on Friday as the Avalanche opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Oliver Kylington will sit in his place.

Blackwood will start his second game in as many nights when the Avalanche travel to Edmonton on Friday. Blackwood turned in a stellar performance last night, stopping 27 of the 29 shots he faced in a 4-2 victory in Calgary. The 28-year-old netminder has been spectacular between the pipes for the Avs since being acquired from the Sharks earlier this season, registering a 13-6-2 record and a .926 SV%. He will need to be at his best again on Friday as the Avalanche enter action at +150 on the money line against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.

Middleton will take a seat on Thursday as Calvin de Haan draws into the lineup in his place. Middleton has zero goals and two assists in 26 games this season.

Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).

Manson exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will be shut down for Colorado's final two games before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season. Oliver Kylington will return from an undisclosed injury to replace Manson.

Colorado will likely roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).

Hinostroza scored two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games with the Predators this season before being placed on waivers on Tuesday and being claimed by the Wild on Wednesday. The 30-year-old forward has 387 games of NHL experience but has primarily been an AHL player over the previous two seasons.

Hinostroza scored two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games with the Predators this season before being placed on waivers on Monday. The 30-year-old forward has 387 games of NHL experience but has primarily been an AHL player over the previous two seasons.

Juulsen will be the odd-man out when the Canucks host the Avs on Tuesday. Juulsen is yet to register a point in 35 games this season.

Blackwood will make his 19th start as a member of the Avalanche when Colorado travels to Vancouver on Tuesday. Blackwood is red-hot coming into Tuesday night's matchup, posting back-to-back shutouts against the Blues and Flyers, respectively. The 28-year-old netminder is enjoying life in Denver, registering a 12-5-2 record and a .925 SV% since being acquired from the Sharks earlier this season. He's got a good chance of staying in the win column on Tuesday as the Avalanche enter action at -150 on the money line.

Hinostroza will fill in for Luke Evangelista, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Hinostroza is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in 12 games this season.