The Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, will turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the first time in 10 days. Georgiev backed up Justus Annunen for the last four games and will hope the rest helps him reset after a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season. In five games (1-3-0), Georgiev has an atrocious 4.99 GAA and .810 SV%. That said, Colorado enters the action on Monday as a sizeable -216 home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks.
San Jose Sharks News
With Will Smith missing another game as part of a development strategy to ease him into NHL action, Kostin will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Monday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 25-year-old Kostin is averaging 8:45 time-on-ice through six games this season and has zero points.
Matt Benning will draw into the Sharks' lineup on Monday, resulting in Thompson being a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Thompson has been productive from the blueline for the Sharks this season, tallying three points (0G / 3A), eight blocks, and three hits in four games.
Smith has been a healthy scratch in two of the last five games and will be again on Monday as part of a development plan to ease him into NHL action. The 19-year-old has a -4 plus/minus and has yet to record a point through seven games this season.
The Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, will likely turn to Georgiev between the pipes for the first time in 10 days. Georgiev backed up Justus Annunen for the last four games and will hope the rest helps him reset after a forgetful start to the 2024-25 season. In five games (1-3-0), Georgiev has an atrocious 4.99 GAA and .810 SV%. That said, Colorado enters the action on Monday as a sizeable -216 home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks.
For the second time in eight games to start the season, Smith will serve as a healthy scratch as a means of easing him into his first NHL season. The 2023 fourth-overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft has zero points and a -4 plus/minus through his first six games.
Mukhamadullin had yet to appear for San Jose this season and will head back to the Barracuda (AHL) on Tuesday to get consistent playing time. The 22-year-old appeared in three games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up an assist, five SOG and four PIMs.
Bordeleau had yet to appear for San Jose due to a lower-body injury and has been assigned to the Barracuda (AHL) to get up to game speed. The 22-year-old centre appeared in 27 games with the Sharks in 2023-24, picking up six goals, 11 points, 18 PIMs and a -18 plus/minus.
Despite a surprising 0-4-0 start to the season, the Avalanche, one of three teams without a win this season, will turn to Georgiev in the crease for the fifth straight game to start the season. Georgiev had a rough 2023-24 campaign, posting a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5), but the 28-year-old netminder has been abysmal to start the 2024-25 season, showcasing an unsightly 5.79 GAA and .802 SV%. That said, the Avalanche enter Friday's matchup as sizeable -254 home favorites in search of their first win of the season when they host the Anaheim Ducks.
Gushchin has not played since the opening night of the season but will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Friday as Will Smith will be a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Gushchin has four points (2G / 2A) in seven career NHL games..