Colorado Avalanche News

With Mark Giordano out for at least one week, Kylington will be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. the Sharks. Kylington has one goal and three assists (four points) in 40 games this season.

Kiviranta has no points in seven NHL games but has 20 points (11G / 9A) in 38 AHL games this season. With Roope Hintz and Justin Dowling out, Kiviranta will be on the fourth line on Saturday.

Lehkonen missed practice the last two days and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Monitor his status during the Canadiens' morning skate in Buffalo.

Drouin has been out since mid-November after undergoing wrist surgery on November 18th. Drouin practiced for the second straight day on Wednesday but will need a few more skates before returning to the lineup. Monitor his status heading into their back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday.

Cogliano left Monday's game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The veteran winger was not on the ice for Tuesday's practice and is officially questionable to play vs. the Maple Leafs. If Cogliano can't play, the Stars will dress seven defensemen.

Francouz allowed four goals on 30 shots in Colorado's loss to the Penguins on January 10th. Francouz has lost three in a row while allowing 10 goals on 95 shots (.895 SV%). Despite a few tough outings in a row, he is 11-4-2 with a .926 SV% on the season, so you should be able to trust him this afternoon vs. the last place Red Wings.

This isn't surprising with the Islanders in town. Georgiev started both games vs. the Isles last week, going 2-0 while stopping 70 of the 74 shots (.946 SV%) that he faced. He is now 4-1-0 with a 1.40 GAA, .955 SV% and one shutout in his career against the Islanders and makes for a solid option on a quiet Tuesday in the NHL.

Georgiev allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Rangers win over the Islanders on Monday. It was another strong outing for Georgiev, who is now 3-1-0 with a 1.21 GAA, .957 SV% and one shutout in four career outings vs. the Islanders. He comes into Thursday at 8-4-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .919 SV% on the road.

Poolman was forced to leave Sunday's game with a lower-body injury and will miss the rest of the Jets home stand. With Poolman out, Neal Pionk will move up to play with Josh Morrissey and Luca Sbisa is expected to draw back into the lineup.

Georgiev allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Rangers' 2-1 loss in Vancouver on January 4th. It was a better outing for Georgiev, who allowed a combined 16 goals in his previous three outings. He has struggled at Madison Square Garden (2-5-1 | 3.41 GAA | .893 SV%) this season but has been great against the Islanders in his young career, going 2-1-0 with a 0.87 GAA, .967 SV% and one shutout in three starts.

Georgiev allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Rangers' 2-1 loss in Vancouver on January 4th. It was a better outing for Georgiev, who allowed a combined 16 goals in his previous three outings. He has struggled at Madison Square Garden (2-5-1 | 3.41 GAA | .893 SV%) this season but has been great against the Islanders in his young career, going 2-1-0 with a 0.87 GAA, .967 SV% and one shutout in three starts.

Francouz stopped 32 of 33 shots in Colorado's 1-0 loss to the Islanders on Monday. Francouz has played very well since the middle of December, going 4-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .940 SV% in his last six outings. Tonight he faces a Penguins team that has gone 6-1-0 while averaging 3.86 goals per game in their last seven road games.

Kamenev played Saturday in New Jersey, collecting an assist in 9:37 TOI but will be a healthy scratch for the 12th time in 13 games on Monday. Valeri Nichushkin will return from illness to replace Kamenev.

Nichushkin missed Saturday's game in New Jersey but will replace Vladislav Kamenev Monday vs. the Islanders. Nichushkin has one goal and four assists (five points) in his last six games.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in Colorado's loss to Minnesota on December 27th. The Avalanche have rolled with Philipp Grubauer for their last four games but they'll get Francouz back between the pipes against the Isles. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .943 SV% in seven road starts and will see an Islanders team that has lost four in a row on home-ice, scoring 2.75 goals per game.

Kiviranta was called up from the AHL on Thursday and will replace Corey Perry in the lineup vs. the Red Wings. Perry is facing a suspension for his hit on Ryan Ellis in the Winter Classic, opening the door for Kiviranta's debut on the Stars fourth line.

Kiviranta is in his first year in North America and has tallied 18 points (9G / 9A) in 33 games with Texas this season. Kiviranta's call-up is likely a reaction to the Corey Perry hearing. Perry elbowed Ryan Ellis in the head during the Winter Classic and will likely be suspended for Friday's game, opening the door for Kiviranta to make his NHL debut.