Colorado Avalanche News

Tynan will fill in for Jonathan Drouin, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Tynan is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in seven games this season.

Drouin was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. T.J. Tynan will draw into the lineup in his place.

Calvin de Haan will return from a three-game absence, resulting in Kylington being a healthy scratch. Kylington played the last three games for Colorado, including scoring his first two points of the season (1G / 1A) in their most recent game, a 7-4 win over the Florida Panthers.

Kylington will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing de Haan to return from a three-game absence. The 33-year-old de Haan had been a regular in the lineup this season, averaging 16:07 time-on-ice through 15 games.

Tynan played seven games with the Avalanche, averaging 7:47 time-on-ice and scoring one point (0G / 1A). The 32-year-old Tynan has spent most of his career in the AHL and has four points (0G / 4A) in six games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Will Smith will be sidelined for a maintenance day on Thursday, replaced by Givani Smith. The 26-year-old Givani Smith has scored zero points this season while being limited to only four games.

Despite the Sharks recalling high-pedigree prospect Yaroslav Askarov from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) on Monday, the Sharks will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a second straight game. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been stellar between the pipes lately, posting a .929 SV% in his previous six outings (3-2-1). The Sharks enter the action on Wednesday as significant +393 road underdogs against the Stars but nearly defeated them in their meeting on October 15th when Blackwood saved 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss.

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +125 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

With Vitek Vanecek sidelined due to injury, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov, but he will likely serve as the backup to Blackwood on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Blackwood has been solid between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .914 SV% through 11 games (3-5-3). The Sharks enter the action as +129 home underdogs against a Red Wings club outscored 10-5 in their previous two contests (0-2-0).

Oliver Kylington will draw into the Avalanche lineup for his fifth game of the season, sending de Haan to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old de Haan has been a regular in the lineup this season, averaging 16:07 time-on-ice through 15 games.

Calvin de Haan will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Kylington to re-enter the lineup. Kylington has only played four games this season, including a game as a forward when the Avalanche were battling a myriad of injuries, and has zero points while averaging 11:09 time-on-ice.

Wagner played 12 games with the Avalanche this season, scoring one point (1G / 0A), but will report to the Eagles (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 33-year-old Wagner has 66 points (39G / 27A) in 385 career NHL games.

With Alexandar Georgiev sidelined, day-to-day, due to an upper-body injury, the Avalanche have recalled Miner from the Colorago Eagles (AHL) to back up Justus Annunen. The 23-year-old Miner has never played an NHL game and has a 2.34 GAA and .905 SV% in six games with the Eagles this season (3-2-1).

Wood has not played since October 28th but, after being activated from Injured Reserve, will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice. Wood joins Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) as players making long-awaited returns to the lineup.

Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and will make his season debut on Friday, his first day of eligibility. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup. Nichushkin is expected to play on a line with Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt.

Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, missing 16 consecutive contests, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season. That said, at least to start, Drouin will be on the second line, away from his familiar spot alongside Nathan MacKinnon.