Georgiev stopped 19 of 22 shots in the Avalanche's come from behind win in Game 1. Georgiev was absolutely lit up in his first start of the playoffs but has gone 5-0 with 2.12 GAA and .921 SV% in five games since. Tonight he'll backstop the Avalanche as +118 road underdogs, who are looking to take the series back to Colorado up 2-0.
Drouin missed all of Colorado's opening series win over Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but travelled with the team to Dallas and took part in practice for the first time since his injury on Wednesday. The 29-year-old is one step closer to a return which is a great sign for Colorado after he posted career highs in points (56), and plus/minus (+12) across 79 games played during the regular season.
Wagner has yet to appear in the playoffs for Colorado but will draw into the lineup for Nikolai Kovalenko and play on the third line. The 32-year-old had one goal and one assist in 13 games played with the Avalanche during the regular season while averaging just 7:27 TOI/GP.
Kovalenko appeared in two games during Colorado's opening series win over Winnipeg but will head to the press box for the Avalanche's opening game in Dallas. The 24-year-old will be replaced by Chris Wagner after failing to pick up a point while averaging just below 7 minutes TOI.
Despite allowing seven goals in Colorado's playoff-opening loss, Georgiev led the Avalanche to four straight wins and a series-opening victory over Winnipeg with his stellar play and 4-1-0 record, .900 SV% and 3.03 GAA. The 28-year-old will unsurprisingly take the crease on Tuesday for Game 1 in Dallas after leading the NHL in wins (38) for a second straight season in 2023-24. He will head to Dallas to take on the Stars, who finished a hard-fought seven-game series vs. Vegas on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at home.
Drouin missed Colorado's entire opening series vs. Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but will travel with the Avalanche for their upcoming two opening games in Dallas and has a chance to return. The 29-year-old had a phenomenal first season in Colorado, with 19 goals, 56 points, 127 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +12 in 79 games played while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Kiviranta missed the Avalanche's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury and is a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Dallas after missing practice on Monday. The 28-year-old averaged 10:14 TOI/GP in the opening series and had an assist, two PIMs, three SOG and a +2 plus/minus in three games.
No surprise here as the Avalanche will roll with their starting netminder as they look to eliminate the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday night. Georgiev has rebounded admirably since a dreadful performance in Game 1, winning three straight games and posting a .938 SV% in the process. The 27-year-old now owns a 2.70 GAA and a .907 SV% in 13 career playoff games. He and the Avalanche enter action on Tuesday as slight favourites at -120.
Kiviranta did not play Sunday's 5-1 game-four victory over the Winnipeg Jets and could miss a second straight game. In the series' first three games, Kiviranta tallied one assist and nine hits while averaging 10:14 ice time.
This is Wagner's second call-up since the beginning of the playoffs but he has yet to crack the Avalanche roster this postseason. The 32-year-old appeared in 13 games for the Avalanche this season, scoring a goal, two points, 16 SOG, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and was considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but appears ready to return. Caleb Jones will sit in his place.
Georgiev bounced back nicely an ugly seven-goal performance in the series opener by stopping 28 of 30 shots against (.933 SV%) for a Game 2 victory over Winnipeg. Georgiev led the NHL in wins (38) for a second straight season despite having a very mediocre 3.02 GAA and . 897 SV%. He will look to take a series lead Friday as Colorado hosts Winnipeg, who despite leading the NHL in goals against per game (2.41) have given up 11 in the first two games.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and is considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but is on the cusp of returning. If he is unable to go, Caleb Jones will continue to lock down Colorado's third defensive pairing role.
de Haan will take a seat on Thursday as Nick Perbix and Tanner Jeannot draw back into the Lightning lineup. Maxwell Crozier will also draw out and join de Haan as a healthy scratch.
Wagner was placed on waivers on Tuesday in hopes that he clears and can help the Colorado Eagles (AHL) during their playoff push. The 32-year-old appeared in 13 games for the Avalanche this season, scoring a goal, two points, 16 SOG, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus.
After sitting out Game 1 as a healthy scratch, de Haan will get a chance to play in Game 2 against the Panthers on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. The 32-year-old blue-liner finished the 2023-24 regular season with three goals and seven assists in 59 games.
