Samuel Girard (undisclosed) will return from a three-game absence, resulting in Malinski being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:42 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 45 games this season.
Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season. Sam Malinski will exit the lineup to accommodate Girard's return.
Colorado is coming off an exciting 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers and will return to Blackwood between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been sensational since joining Colorado last month, posting an immaculate 1.68 GAA and .938 SV% in 12 games (9-2-1). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favorites against an Oilers squad that played last night and defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-3.
Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but has returned to practice. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season.
Nichushkin has not played since December 31st and has missed seven straight games. Originally given a day-to-day timeline, Nichushkin, and the Avalanche have been patient with his recovery and have not rushed his return to the lineup. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
Polin is an undrafted product of Western Michigan University. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in seven games. He has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring nine points (7G / 2A) in 21 games with the Colorado Eagles.
Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Blackwood was solid in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) despite a 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old netminder has been excellent since joining Colorado last month, posting a superb 1.66 GAA and .939 SV% in 11 games (8-2-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -157 home favorites against a New York team with points in four straight (3-0-1).
Colorado will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Blackwood was solid in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) despite a 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old netminder has been excellent since joining Colorado last month, posting a superb 1.66 GAA and .939 SV% in 11 games (8-2-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -157 home favorites against a New York team with points in four straight (3-0-1).
Ivan has not played since December 27th due to an upper-body injury and has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL). The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.
Innala has split time between the AHL and NHL in his first professional season in North America. The 26-year-old has been impressive at the AHL level, scoring 15 points (5G / 10A) in 21 games but has not seen that success translate to the NHL level, scoring zero points in 10 games.
Polin is an undrafted product of Western Michigan University. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in seven games. He has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring nine points (7G / 2A) in 21 games with the Colorado Eagles.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, Blackwood is expected return to the crease on Thursday in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Blackwood has an impressive 2.58 GAA and .917 SV% in 28 games this season (13-10-4). Even more remarkable, the 28-year-old Blackwood has been sensational since joining Colorado, boasting an absurd 1.69 GAA and .938 SV% in nine appearances (7-1-1).
Drouin played 21:50 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game, a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers, but will not play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Drouin has battled through an injury played 2024-25 season. That said, he has been productive in limited action, scoring eight points (3G / 5A) in nine games.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, Blackwood is expected return to the crease on Thursday in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Blackwood has an impressive 2.58 GAA and .917 SV% in 28 games this season (13-10-4). Even more remarkable, the 28-year-old Blackwood has been sensational since joining Colorado, boasting an absurd 1.69 GAA and .938 SV% in nine appearances (7-1-1).
