Avalanche News

WESTERN CENTRAL

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas finished Tuesday's 2-1 season-ending loss to the Vegas Golden Knights with an assist. The Avalanche once again struggled to generate offense against Vegas, but finally made a breakthrough late in the third period. Necas and Nazem Kadri set up Gabriel Landeskog for a late consolation goal. It was a strong campaign for Necas, who averaged a point per game in the playoffs after posting a career-high 100 points (38 goals, 62 assists) in 78 regular-season contests. He found a way to elevate his play, an encouraging sign for Colorado, as Necas' eight-year, $92 million contract extension will take effect next season.

3 days ago

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog scored the team's only goal in Tuesday's 2-1 season-ending loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Avalanche captain ended Carter Hart's shutout bid with 2:03 remaining in regulation. Landeskog finished the Conference Finals with three goals in four games, but many of his teammates struggled, leaving Colorado as the seventh No. 1 seed in history to be swept in a playoff series. In 13 postseason appearances, Landeskog recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists). Compared with the regular season, where he had 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 outings, the Swedish veteran took his offensive production to a new level.

3 days ago

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood will start Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. Scott Wedgewood has struggled against Vegas, recording a .877 save percentage, prompting Colorado to make a change in goal with elimination looming. Blackwood has seen action in three playoff games, posting a 1-0 record, a 3.20 goals-against average, and a .872 save percentage. He lost his lone start 3-2 in overtime against Vegas during the regular season, finishing with a .897 save percentage after facing 29 SOG.

4 days ago

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin a Game-Time Call Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) is a game-time decision against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Russian forward sustained a lower-body injury in Game 3 and did not participate in Tuesday's optional morning skate. Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) also sat out the morning skate but is expected to play. Having Nichushkin available would be a further boost for the Avalanche, who face elimination on Tuesday night. He has one goal in three games in the series, though Nichushkin has been quiet for much of the postseason. In 12 outings, he has recorded four points (two goals, two assists). Joel Kiviranta will likely enter the lineup if Nichushkin is ultimately ruled out.

4 days ago

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Will Suit Up Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) will play in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. After suffering a lower-body injury, MacKinnon was used sparingly in the third period of Game 3, and it was initially unclear whether he would be available for Game 4. According to Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, the star forward felt much better on Tuesday morning and is expected to play in all situations. MacKinnon leads the Avalanche with seven goals and 15 points in 12 postseason games. He has gone scoreless only once in his last nine appearances.

4 days ago

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4

Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) and Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) are uncertain for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports. Both players suffered lower-body injuries in Game 3. "I don't have any updates," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Monday. "Those guys are getting treatments, they're getting evaluated. It could be tomorrow morning before we know, it could be game time before we know, so we'll just plan for all scenarios." Losing MacKinnon from the lineup would be particularly bad for Colorado. He leads the team with seven goals and 15 points in 12 postseason games. MacKinnon ranks sixth all-time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a scoring average of 1.31 points per game.

5 days ago

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews was the team's only skater to finish Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights with multiple points. He recorded two assists, including a short-handed helper, as the Avalanche jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Shockingly, they couldn't hold the lead and now face elimination in Game 4 on Tuesday. With Cale Makar back in action, Toews' workload on the blue line decreased, but he still logged over 23 minutes of ice time. With 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 12 games, Toews has been among the league's most productive defensemen in the 2026 playoffs. He has also racked up 15 blocks while generating 15 SOG.

5 days ago

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Exits Early Sunday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (undisclosed) didn't finish Sunday's 5-3 Game 3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The Russian forward didn't play in the final 22 minutes of the contest. It was a tough night all around for the Avalanche, as they blew a 3-0 lead and also saw Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) get hurt. Nichushkin has been quiet in the postseason, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in 12 games. With both Nichushkin and MacKinnon ailing, Colorado's offense could see a major shake-up for Game 4 on Tuesday night.

5 days ago

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Hurt in Game 3 Loss

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) was injured in Sunday's Game 3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. He took only four shifts in the third period after the puck hit his left leg with 7:54 remaining in the second frame. Initially, MacKinnon didn't come out for the third period, and there was no intensity in his skating when he was on the ice. Colorado's frontline also lost Valeri Nichushkin (undisclosed) on Sunday night, putting the team in a very difficult position. Brock Nelson and Nazem Kadri will have larger roles if MacKinnon isn't available for Game 4 on Tuesday.

5 days ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Rejoins Avalanche Lineup Sunday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) will make his 2026 Western Conference Finals debut in Sunday's Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights. He missed the start of the series due to an upper-body injury, but Makar will give it a go on Sunday night, as Colorado tries to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. Health issues might explain why Makar's postseason play hasn't been as productive as we're used to seeing. He has recorded five points (four goals, one assist) in nine games, finishing six of his outings scoreless.

6 days ago

Nazem Kadri • C • Avalanche

Nazem Kadri Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri ended a brief scoreless spell with an assist in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Kadri and Brent Burns set up Ross Colton for the opening goal in the first period. The veteran forward had gone back-to-back games pointless before finding his way back on the score sheet. Offensively, Kadri has been one of Colorado's most consistent players this postseason, finishing without points in only four of his 11 outings. He has posted two goals and five assists, with four of his seven points coming on the power play.

7 days ago

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton scored the team's only goal in Friday's 3-1 Game 2 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights. Late in the first period, Colton put Colorado 1-0 ahead, but the team couldn't build on it. In Game 1, Colton picked up an assist and has now been scoreless just once in his last four outings. He has tallied two goals and three assists in nine postseason appearances. Colton was a healthy scratch at the start of the playoff run, but he's recently cemented his spot in the lineup with strong performances. All five of his points have come in the last seven games.

7 days ago

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Starting Game 2 Against Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood will remain in the crease for Friday night's action against the Vegas Golden Knights, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Colorado has used both goalies in recent games, and there were questions about Wedgewood after he posted a .899 save percentage in a 4-2 Game 1 loss to Vegas. However, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has decided to stick with Wedgewood for now. The 33-year-old has made nine postseason outings, going 7-2. He has a 2.32 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Throughout the season, Wedgewood has responded well to setbacks, losing consecutive starts only four times. Another strong bounce-back performance from him on Friday would be critical for Colorado.

May 22

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Remains Out Friday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) won't play in Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, ESPN's Ryan S. Clark reports. He will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Makar's absence leaves a gaping hole in Colorado's blue line, one that is nearly impossible to fill. The two-time Norris Trophy winner plays a major role on both ends of the ice. With Makar sidelined, Devon Toews led the team with 27:32 of ice time in Game 1, including 4:29 on the power play. Sam Malinski and Brent Burns also saw power-play time, while Brett Kulak was second among defensemen with 23:06 of ice time.

May 22

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin scored the team's first goal in Wednesday's 4-2 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He got the Avalanche on the board with 5:53 played in the third period. At the 17:39 mark, Gabriel Landeskog made it a one-goal game on the power play, but Colorado's offensive surge came clearly too late. Nichushkin has had a disappointing postseason. Before Wednesday night, he had gone three consecutive games without a point, and overall, the Russian forward has made an offensive impact in only three of Colorado's 10 games. Having contributed just two goals and two assists so far, Nichushkin has plenty of room to step up his game.

May 21

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Extends Point Streak With an Assist

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon took his point streak to seven games with an assist in a 4-2 Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. MacKinnon entered the series with an incredible six-game goal streak. While he couldn't light the lamp with three attempts on the net, MacKinnon still extended his point streak late in the game when Gabriel Landeskog scored a power-play goal. MacKinnon has been a scoring machine yet again in the playoffs, posting 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 10 games. His play is directly tied to the team's success, and MacKinnon can't afford to drop a level right now, especially with Cale Makar (undisclosed) out of the lineup.

May 21

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood will start Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The 33-year-old lost his starting spot to Mackenzie Blackwood in the second round against Minnesota, but he's getting a new opportunity to re-establish himself as the No. 1. A week ago, Wedgewood helped Colorado close out the series against Minnesota with an impressive relief effort. While Wedgewood had a bumpy ride in Round 2, his overall numbers are strong in the postseason. He holds a 7-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. In the regular season, Wedgewood won both of his starts against Vegas, though he gave up over three goals per game (3.38) and had a poor .854 save percentage.

May 20

Sam Malinski • D • Avalanche

Sam Malinski Set to Return Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) is on track to return to the lineup on Wednesday night in Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. He missed the last two games of the second-round series against Minnesota due to an upper-body injury. Malinski's return on Wednesday is a major boost for the Avalanche, who will be without Cale Makar (undisclosed). As a result, Malinski could take on additional duties on the blue line. Devon Toews and Brent Burns might also see more action without Makar, especially on the power play.

May 20

Artturi Lehkonen • LW • Avalanche

Artturi Lehkonen Expected to Play Wednesday Night

Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) is expected to be available for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Finnish forward has missed two games due to an upper-body injury. However, Lehkonen returned to practice with a regular jersey on Tuesday, indicating that he's ready to rejoin the lineup. Lehkonen is a player who can make an impact in all situations and has bagged six points (three goals, three assists) in seven postseason outings. He is slated to grab a second-line role and will also strengthen the second power-play unit.

May 20

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) won't be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. He is considered day-to-day. According to Kaplan, Makar is dealing with several health issues. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was on the ice Wednesday morning, but he's missed several practices since Colorado's second-round matchup against Minnesota ended a week ago. With the Avalanche's blue line banged up, Jack Ahcan has played in back-to-back games and is set to remain in the lineup Wednesday night. However, he is expected to have a limited role.

May 20

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