Annunen has struggled in limited action for the Avalanche this season but will start for the second time in the last four games on Thursday night. In three games this season (1-2-0), Annunen has a disastrous 4.08 GAA and .888 SV%. That said, the high-scoring Avalanche are still -127 road favourites against a Detroit Red Wings club that has outscored their opposition 9-3 in their last two games (2-0-0).
Michael Pezzetta will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Ylonen to re-enter the Canadiens' lineup. Ylonen last played on February 13th, registering two hits and +1 plus/minus in 8:45 time-on-ice.
Denisenko was held without a point in three games with the Golden Knights earlier this season but his strong play in the AHL has earned another call-up. In 45 games with the Silver Knights (AHL), Denisenko has 40 points (14G / 26A).
Denisenko was held without a point in three games with the Golden Knights earlier this season but his strong play in the AHL has earned another call-up. In 45 games with the Silver Knights (AHL), Denisenko has 40 points (14G / 26A).
The 28-year-old McCarron has been rewarded for his most productive season to date, scoring 13 points (7G / 6A) in 42 games while averaging 11:52 time-on-ice and continuing his bruting style with 89 hits. McCarron has predominantly played this season on a line with Philip Tomasino and Cole Smith.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday in a divisional matchup against the Dallas Stars. Saros has allowed three or more goals in four straight games (1-2-1) but played well in a 4-2 losing effort to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, saving 43 of 46 shots (.935 SV%). Saros last played the Stars on December 23rd and allowed two goals in the final minute en route to a 3-2 regulation loss.
Annunen will return to the crease for the Avalanche on Thursday, his second start in the last five games. Annunen struggled in his last outing, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but is starting to see game-action more regularly as the Avalanche attempt to cycle in more rest days for starting netminder Alexandar Georgiev. Colorado is a +112 road underdog against a Tampa Bay Lightning club riding a two-game winning streak.
Annunen will likely return to the crease for the Avalanche on Thursday, his second start in the last five games. Annunen struggled in his last outing, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but is starting to see game-action more regularly as the Avalanche attempt to cycle in more rest days for starting netminder Alexandar Georgiev. Colorado is a +112 road underdog against a Tampa Bay Lightning club riding a two-game winning streak.
Denis Gurianov will draw back into the lineup on Thursday, sending Evangelista to the press box. Evangelista has two points (0G / 2A) in his last five games while averaging under 12 minutes of time on ice.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday in a divisional matchup against the Dallas Stars. Saros has allowed three or more goals in four straight games (1-2-1) but played well in a 4-2 losing effort to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, saving 43 of 46 shots (.935 SV%). Saros last played the Stars on December 23rd and allowed two goals in the final minute en route to a 3-2 regulation loss.
Saros will start for the fourth straight game on Tuesday and attempt to regain form after performing below his standards lately. In his last three games (1-1-1), Saros has allowed three or more goals in each contest, posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as -130 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils squad that played last night and snapped a two-game losing skid with a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.
Saros will start for the fourth straight game on Tuesday and attempt to regain form after performing below his standards lately. In his last three games (1-1-1), Saros has allowed three or more goals in each contest, posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as -130 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils squad that played last night and snapped a two-game losing skid with a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.
After Alexandar Georgiev got the nod in Monday's 2-1 overtime defeat to the Rangers, the Avalanche will turn to Annunen for the tail-end of their back-to-back in New Jersey on Tuesday. Annunen owns a 14-5-4 record on the year along with a .908 SV% in 23 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). His lone NHL start this season came on January 16th in Ottawa. The 23-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 40 shots as the Avalanche walked away with a 7-4 victory. He draws a tough matchup on Tuesday in New Jersey, though the Avalanche do still find themselves as slight favourites at -115.
Lucchini was reassigned to Iowa (AHL) in correspondence to the impending All-Star break last week but will return to Minnesota. Lucchini has played four straight games for Minnesota and has been held without a point in eight contests this season.
