Girard (concussion) won't play in Game 2 versus the Jets on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Girard has been deemed close to a return to begin the playoffs, but he'll miss his fourth straight contest Tuesday. His next chance to play is Game 3 in Colorado on Friday. Once cleared to play, Girard will likely occupy a bottom-four role.
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Avalanche's Chris Wagner: Hits waivers
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Wagner was placed on waivers Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
Wagner will probably remain with the Avalanche for Tuesday's Game 2 matchup versus Winnipeg. He will likely serve as a healthy scratch for a second straight outing. Wagner had one goal, one assist, 16 shots on net and 30 hits in 13 NHL contests during the 2023-24 regular season.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Unavailable against Jets
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Annunen (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Annunen probably had a decent chance to start Game 2, but his continued illness will see him once again missing from the bench. In the meantime, Ivan Prosvetov will serve as the No. 2 option behind Alexandar Georgiev against the Jets on Tuesday. If Georgiev struggles again, after giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, Annunen could challenge for the starting gig, provided he's healthy enough to play in Game 3 on Friday.
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Avalanche's Alexandar Georgiev: Starting in Game 2
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Georgiev is on track to guard the road goal during Tuesday's Game 2 versus Winnipeg, per John Lu of TSN.
Georgiev was horrendous in Game 1 on Sunday, allowing seven goals on just 23 shots en route to a 7-6 loss. If Georgiev struggles again in Game 2, the Avalanche could consider starting Justus Annunen (illness) or Ivan Prosvetov in Friday's Game 3.
In a corresponding move, Ivan Prosvetov was summoned from the minors. Even though Alexandar Georgiev surrendered seven goals on 23 shots in Sunday's 7-6 loss to Winnipeg in Game 1, Holm remained on the bench as the backup because Justus Annunen (illness) was unavailable. If Annunen remains out, Prosvetov could start or serve as Georgiev's backup in Game 2 versus the Jets on Tuesday.
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Avalanche's Ivan Prosvetov: Added to NHL roster
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Prosvetov was recalled from AHL Colorado on Monday.
Prosvetov will switch places with Arvid Holm, who was sent down in a corresponding move. Unlike Holm, the 25-year-old Prosvetov has NHL experience, albeit limited, having played in 24 games for the Coyotes and Avalanche over the last four seasons. In those appearances, the backstop is 8-9-2 with a 3.70 GAA and a .881 save percentage. With Justus Annunen still under the weather, it appears the Avalance want a more experienced reserve option behind Alexandar Georgiev.
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Avalanche's Samuel Girard: To be reevaluated Tuesday
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Girard (concussion) skated in the lead-up to Tuesday's Game 2 matchup with Winnipeg, John Lu of TSN reports.
Head coach Jared Bednar didn't rule Girard out for Game 2, which would be his first action since April 13 versus the Jets. Considering the blueliner is pointless in his last 10 outings, few fantasy managers will be anxiously awaiting his return to the lineup. If Girard is cleared to play, he'll likely take the place of Jack Johnson or Caleb Jones.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Still battling illness
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Annunen (illness) was not at practice Monday, John Lu of TSN reports, raising doubts regarding his availability against Winnipeg for Game 2 on Tuesday.
If Annunen were 100 percent, there is certainly a chance he would be between the pipes for Game 2 after starter Alexandar Georgiev gave up seven goals on 23 shots versus the Jets on Sunday. If Annunen can't at least serve as the backup Tuesday, look for Arvid Holm to dress as the No. 2 option behind Georgiev.
Kiviranta posted an assist and two hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Kiviranta played just four of the Avalanche's last 15 regular-season games, and he went seven contests without a point prior to Sunday. The 28-year-old is likely to occupy a bottom-six role during the playoffs. He had nine points, 78 hits and 48 shots on net over 56 regular-season appearances.
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Avalanche's Josh Manson: Garners assist
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Manson notched an assist, six shots on goal, two hits and a minus-3 rating in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Manson has a goal and two assists over his last three contests. The 32-year-old defenseman is likely to play a significant top-four role as a defensive presence, at least until Samuel Girard (concussion) is cleared to rejoin the lineup. Manson produced 25 points, his most since 2017-18, with 123 shots on net, 211 hits, 109 blocked shots and 87 PIM over 76 regular-season outings.
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Avalanche's Ross Colton: Slides helper
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Colton logged an assist, three shots on goal and four hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Colton has earned five points over the last seven games. The 27-year-old remains in a third-line role, so his chances to be a consistent contributor on offense are likely to be limited in the postseason unless injuries force him into a larger role. Colton had a career-high 40 points with 146 shots on net, 141 hits, 61 PIM and a minus-8 rating over 80 regular-season appearances.
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Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen: Deals two helpers in loss
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Rantanen notched two assists and four hits in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Rantanen assisted on goals by Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt. The 27-year-old Rantanen was limited to four points over six appearances in April to close out the regular season, and he missed two games with a concussion. The winger had 104 points -- one shy of his career high -- in 80 outings overall and should continue to be a productive part of the Avalanche's offense in the playoffs.
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Avalanche's Miles Wood: Finds twine in loss
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Wood scored a goal on three shots, logged three hits and added two PIM in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Wood has a goal and two assists over three contests since he returned from a lower-body injury. The goal was his first since Feb. 13. The 28-year-old winger was right in line with his career norms this season, earning 26 points, 167 shots on net and 107 hits over 74 appearances in a middle-six role. Wood should offer physicality and a little depth scoring during the postseason.
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Avalanche's Casey Mittelstadt: Strikes late in loss
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Mittelstadt scored a goal on five shots and added three hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Mittelstadt scored with 30 seconds left in the third period to create some drama, but the Avalanche fell short in the end. It was his first goal over nine games in April. The 25-year-old center produced 18 tallies, 57 points, 127 shots on net and a plus-10 rating over 80 regular-season appearances between Colorado and Buffalo. Sunday marked his playoff debut, but Mittelstadt is surrounded by teammates familiar with the postseason grind, so he should be able to adjust quickly.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores early in loss
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Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and doled out three hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Nichushkin has scored three times over the last two games. His goal set the Avalanche off on the right foot Sunday, but they couldn't keep pace with an opportunistic attack from the Jets. Nichushkin racked up a career-high 28 goals with 25 helpers, 158 shots on net and 74 hits over 54 regular-season appearances and should be a top-six fixture during the postseason.
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Avalanche's Artturi Lehkonen: Goal, assist in loss
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Lehkonen scored a power-play goal on seven shots and added an assist in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Lehkonen was bumped back down to the second line for this game, with Zach Parise moving to the top line to fill in for Jonathan Drouin (lower body). The 28-year-old Lehkonen can provide offense from anywhere in the top six -- he had nine points over the last nine games of the regular season to finish 2023-24 with 34 points in 45 appearances. If the Avalanche struggle again in Game 2, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lehkonen ultimately shuffled around again.
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Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon: Two points in Game 1 loss
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MacKinnon scored a goal on four shots and added a power-play assist in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
MacKinnon had six goals and 11 helpers over the last nine games of the regular season. The 28-year-old center fell short of the Art Ross Trophy, but he still had a career year with 51 goals, 89 assists, 405 shots on net and a plus-35 rating over 82 contests. MacKinnon will look to continue leading the Avalanche's offense in the postseason, though the team will need stronger goaltending to get through the gauntlet that is the Central Division quadrant of the bracket over the first two rounds.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Leads team with three points
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Makar scored a power-play goal on four shots, dished two assists and blocked two shots in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Makar and the Avalanche's top players were generally solid, but it wasn't enough to overcome a poor performance in goal from Alexandar Georgiev. Over the last nine games of the regular season, Makar had 12 points, and he continues to play excellently in all zones. The 25-year-old posted a career-best 90 points with 231 shots on net and 148 blocked shots over 77 outings in 2023-24.
