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..
As part of pre-planned play-management for the 19-year-old rookie, Smith will have the night off on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice through his first four NHL games this season, with zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury and was considered questionable for tonight's game. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.
Through three games this season, the Sharks have alternated between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks when Vanecek occupies the crease. Despite a 2-0 losing effort, Vanecek was terrific in his only start this season, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks enter action on Thursday as +163 road underdogs against a Blackhawks club that has only scored nine times in their first four games (1-2-1).
For the fourth straight game to start the season, the winless Avalanche (0-3-0) will turn to Georgiev between the pipes again. Georgiev has struggled immensely early in the 2024-25 campaign, including being pulled twice, posting an abysmal 6.58 GAA and .787 SV% in three outings (0-2-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 season as well, showcasing a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). If Georgiev can't turn his game around soon, it likely won't be long before Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff give Justus Annunen a chance to overtake the starting position in goal. Colorado enters action on Wednesday as a -124 home favorite against the Boston Bruins.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice. He is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.
For the fourth straight game to start the season, the winless Avalanche (0-3-0) will turn to Georgiev between the pipes again. Georgiev has struggled immensely early in the 2024-25 campaign, including being pulled twice, posting an abysmal 6.58 GAA and .787 SV% in three outings (0-2-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 season as well, showcasing a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). If Georgiev can't turn his game around soon, it likely won't be long before Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff give Justus Annunen a chance to overtake the starting position in goal. Colorado enters action on Wednesday as a -124 home favorite against the Boston Bruins.
Liljegren will make his season debut on Wednesday, sending Conor Timmins to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Liljegren tied a career-high last season with 23 points (3G / 20A) in 55 games.
The 24-year-old Kovalenko made his NHL debut with the Avalanche this season but has struggled adapting to the North American rink after being dominant in the KHL the past several seasons. In his past two campaigns with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), Kovalenko scored 89 points (32G / 57A) in 98 games.
The 24-year-old Kovalenko made his NHL debut with the Avalanche this season but has struggled adapting to the North American rink after being dominant in the KHL the past several seasons. In his past two campaigns with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), Kovalenko scored 89 points (32G / 57A) in 98 games.
Despite being pulled in his first two contests, the Avalanche will turn to Georgiev in the crease again on Monday against the New York Islanders. Georgiev has been abysmal early this season, posting an unsightly 7.75 GAA and .680 SV% through two games (0-1-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 campaign as well, posting a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 appearances (38-18-5), but the Avalanche are desperately hoping he can revert to that form as soon as possible. The Avalanche enter action as -152 home favorites against the Islanders.
