Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. Toews' impending absence for a second straight game will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).
Colorado Avalanche News
For the fourth straight game to start the season, the winless Avalanche (0-3-0) will turn to Georgiev between the pipes again. Georgiev has struggled immensely early in the 2024-25 campaign, including being pulled twice, posting an abysmal 6.58 GAA and .787 SV% in three outings (0-2-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 season as well, showcasing a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). If Georgiev can't turn his game around soon, it likely won't be long before Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff give Justus Annunen a chance to overtake the starting position in goal. Colorado enters action on Wednesday as a -124 home favorite against the Boston Bruins.
Stienburg was the 63rd overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Halifax native has amassed 16 points (6G / 10A) in 60 games over the last three seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
The 24-year-old Kovalenko made his NHL debut with the Avalanche this season but has struggled adapting to the North American rink after being dominant in the KHL the past several seasons. In his past two campaigns with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), Kovalenko scored 89 points (32G / 57A) in 98 games.
Ivan has averaged 9:22 time-on-ice through his first three NHL games this season, scoring one points (0G / 1A). The undrafted 22-year-old has played on a line with Chris Wagner and Joel Kiviranta.
Toews was a surprise scratch before Monday's contest against the New York Islanders, with his absence not being announced before warmups. Oliver Kylington drew into the lineup as his replacement. If Toews cannot suit again, it will be a major blow for the Avalanche, one of only four clubs without a win this season (0-3-0).
The 24-year-old Kovalenko made his NHL debut with the Avalanche this season but has struggled adapting to the North American rink after being dominant in the KHL the past several seasons. In his past two campaigns with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), Kovalenko scored 89 points (32G / 57A) in 98 games.
Kylington will make his Avalanche debut as Devon Toews and Calvin de Haan were surprise scratches on Monday night. Kylington scored three goals and added five assists in 33 games with the Flames last season.
Ludvig will make his Avalanche debut as Devon Toews and Calvin de Haan were surprise scratches on Monday night. Ludvig scored three goals and added two assists in 33 games with the Penguins last season.
Toews was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Oliver Kylington will draw into the lineup in his place.
de Haan was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. John Ludvig will draw into the lineup in his place.
Despite being pulled in his first two contests, the Avalanche will turn to Georgiev in the crease again on Monday against the New York Islanders. Georgiev has been abysmal early this season, posting an unsightly 7.75 GAA and .680 SV% through two games (0-1-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 campaign as well, posting a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 appearances (38-18-5), but the Avalanche are desperately hoping he can revert to that form as soon as possible. The Avalanche enter action as -152 home favorites against the Islanders.
Georgiev was yanked after allowing five goals on 16 shots in Colorado's loss in Vegas in their season opener. It was an ugly start to the season but the Avalanche will not hesitate to go right back to him on Saturday. Colorado are massive favourites (-321) and Georgiev was 24-6-1 with a 2.75 GAA and .902 SV% on home ice last year.
Georgiev was yanked after allowing five goals on 16 shots in Colorado's loss in Vegas in their season opener. It was an ugly start to the season but the Avalanche will not hesitate to go right back to him on Saturday. Colorado are massive favourites (-321) and Georgiev was 24-6-1 with a 2.75 GAA and .902 SV% on home ice last year.
With Jonathan Drouin sidelined with injury, Wagner returns from the AHL to serve as Colorado's 12th forward on Saturday. Wagner, who will be on the fourth line, had just two points (1G / 1A) in 13 NHL games a season ago.
Drouin played 21:25 in Colorado's season-opening 8-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday but did not practice on Thursday or Friday and will miss several games. Ross Colton is expected to fill in on the top powerplay unit in Drouin's absence.
The Avalanche will turn to Georgiev between the pipes on Wednesday night in their season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. After posting a stellar 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in the 2022-23 season, Georgiev fell off significantly last season, posting a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). Though his statistics may be inconsistent, he has impressively collected 38 and 40 wins in the last two seasons respectively, and should be a candidate to secure over 35 wins again this season. The Avalanche enter action on Wednesday with even -105 odds on the road against the Golden Knights.
The Avalanche will turn to Georgiev between the pipes on Wednesday night in their season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. After posting a stellar 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in the 2022-23 season, Georgiev fell off significantly last season, posting a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). Though his statistics may be inconsistent, he has impressively collected 38 and 40 wins in the last two seasons respectively, and should be a candidate to secure over 35 wins again this season. The Avalanche enter action on Wednesday with even -105 odds on the road against the Golden Knights.
Lehkonen has a check-in at the end of the month on the same shoulder he had surgery on in May and is not expected to return to the Avalanche until after the check-up is complete. The 29-year-old should find himself back in his top-six role when able to return and will hope to produce as efficiently as he did in 2023-24, with 16 goals and 34 points in 45 injury-plagued games played.