Colorado Avalanche News

Makar missed some time during training camp but participated in the final practice before entering the bubble. While speaking with the media on Monday, Makar said "I feel perfect now," which is a great sign for the Avalanche, who begins Western Conference round-robin play on Sunday. Makar had 50 points (12G / 38A) in 57 games during his rookie campaign and had six points (1G / 5A) in 10 playoff games last year.

Colorado picked Annunen in the third round of the 2018 draft and is viewed as the potential future in net for them. The 20-year-old netminder was spectacular in the Finnish Elite League in 2019-20, going 15-5-3 while leading the league in both GAA (1.77) and SV% (.920). He also represented Finland at the World Juniors in 2020, where he finished the tournament with a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in six starts.

Mandolese was a sixth-round pick (No. 157 overall) of the Senators in 2018. In his fourth year in the QMJHL, the 19-year-old netminder went 26-8-1 with a league-best .925 SV% and third-best GAA (2.33). With 86 career wins to-date, Mandolese sits second all-time in Screaming Eagles franchise history.

MacDonald spent the entire 2019-20 season in the AHL, picking up 16 goals with 26 assists (42 points) in 56 games. His 42 points led all Colorado (AHL) defensemen and was fourth among all AHL blueliners.

Tynan picked up just one assist in 16 NHL games this season, spending most of the year in the AHL. While with the Colorado Eagles, he picked up five goals and 42 assists, leading the team with 47 points and being named an AHL All-Star.

Ludvig was a third-round pick (No. 69 overall) in 2019 and finished his third year with the Portland Winterhawks with 62 points (17G / 45A) in 60 WHL games. His 62 points ranked third among WHL defensemen.

Ahcan was an undrafted free-agent defenseman out of St. Cloud State. The 22-year-old led all team defensemen with 25 points (7G / 18A) in 33 games. Ahcan will likely join the Providence Bruins (AHL) next season.

MacKinnon left Monday's game with a lower-body injury after getting tangled up with Martin Frk. The 1-2 week timeline means MacKinnon will miss 4-8 games. Martin Kaut was recalled from Colorado (AHL) and will draw into the lineup to replace MacKinnon on Wednesday. However, Vladislav Namestnikov could be the one to shift to centre on the first line.

Francouz allowed three goals on 35 shots in Colorado's loss in Los Angeles on Monday. Francouz will make his fifth straight start tonight despite losing three of his last four (1-2-1) while posting a 3.70 GAA and .868 SV%. In come the Rangers, who have won 10 of their last 11 road games while averaging 3.73 goals per game.

Makar missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play tonight vs. the Rangers. Makar will likely replace Kevin Connauton and comes in with five assists in his last 10 games.

Francouz allowed three goals on 25 shots in Colorado's win in San Jose last night. The win ended a brief two-game losing stream for Francouz but he's now surrendered a combined 12 goals on 79 shots (.848 SV%) in his last three games. In his first start against the Kings, Francouz allowed one goal on 21 shots in a 2-1 shootout win (Feb.22).

Manson is nearing a return to the Ducks lineup and with Brendan Guhle being sent to the AHL on Saturday, it seems likely that he'll play Sunday vs. the Wild. Manson has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and his return could very well see him lead the Ducks battered blueline in ice-time. He has just one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 47 games this season.

The Avalanche start a three-game road trip Friday in Vancouver but Makar did not join the team for the start of the trip. This rules him out of tonight's game but head coach Jared Bednar said that the rookie defenseman could join them on the road at some point.