8 HOURS AGO • KANSASCITY.COM
COLORADO AVALANCHE 20-15-0 · 3RD IN WEST, CENTRAL
20-15-0 · 3RD IN WEST, CENTRAL
Next Game vs Kraken · Mon 1:00AM
COL -225 TOTAL 5.5
Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood shines early, Colorado stars help fend off Ducks ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Colorado Avalanche looked tired after one period Friday night, but one of thei...
Logan O'Connor - Offers shorthanded helper O'Connor notched a shorthanded assist in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact O'Connor set up Parker Kelly for the Avalanche's first goal of the contest. This was O'Connor's second game in a row with an assist and his first special-teams point of the season. The 28-year-old forward has four goals, five helpers, 41 shots on net, 38 hits, 15 PIM and a minus-4 rating across 35 appearances, primarily in a third-line role.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Mikko Rantanen - Extends point streak to eight games Rantanen notched two assists, including one on the power play, and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact Rantanen had a hand in the Avalanche's last two goals of the game. The star winger extended his point streak to eight contests, a span in which he has contributed four goals and 11 assists. For the season, he's up to 19 goals, 31 helpers, 15 power-play points, 95 shots on net, 22 PIM and a plus-3 rating over 35 appearances. His recent success has come with him seeing time on the second line -- Rantanen can stand on his own at even strength, so a move away from Nathan MacKinnon typically doesn't lead to much of a change in production.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Parker Kelly - Buries shorthanded goal in win Kelly scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added four PIM, logged two hits and blocked two shots in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact Kelly showed off his defensive skills and turned them into offense when he buried the game-tying goal on a shorthanded rush at 6:40 of the second period. The forward has four points through 10 outings in December. He's up to eight points, 40 shots on net, 67 hits, 32 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating through 35 contests overall. Kelly is firmly in a bottom-six role for the Avalanche, so it's unlikely he'll get enough ice time or produce enough offense to be a factor in most fantasy formats.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Valeri Nichushkin - Goal, assist in Friday's win Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and went plus-2 in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact Nichushkin has scored in three straight games. The 29-year-old winger's strong play has allowed head coach Jared Bednar to spread out the Avalanche's top talent across two lines. Nichushkin has 10 goals, five assists, 42 shots on net, 15 hits and a plus-2 rating through 18 appearances. He's typically been a strong fantasy option when available over the last three seasons, and that's especially true when he's on the top line as he is now.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Cale Makar - Pair of points in Friday's win Makar scored a power-play goal on seven shots, added an assist, blocked three shots and went plus-3 in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact Makar ended a six-game goal drought with what ended up being the game-winner. He has multiple points in back-to-back contests and a total of two goals and eight assists over 10 appearances in December. The superstar defenseman continues to play at an elite level with 10 goals, 42 points (18 on the power play), 107 shots on net, 49 blocked shots, 30 hits and a plus-5 rating through 35 outings.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Nathan MacKinnon - Three more points in win MacKinnon scored an empty-net goal on three shots, added two assists and went plus-2 in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact MacKinnon reached the 40-assist mark on Valeri Nichushkin's tally in the second period. In the third, MacKinnon set up a Cale Makar power-play goal before adding an empty-netter on his own. MacKinnon has multiple points in four of the last six games, racking up five goals and nine assists in that span. He's up to 14 tallies, a league-leading 55 points (17 on the power play), 136 shots on net and a plus-6 rating through 35 contests this season.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Scott Wedgewood - Makes 30 saves in win Wedgewood stopped 30 of 32 shots in Friday's 4-2 win over the Ducks.
Impact Wedgewood earned his fourth win in six outings with the Avalanche in this contest. He limited the damage to goals by Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn, helping the Avalanche sweep a back-to-back set. Wedgewood improved to 5-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and a .908 save percentage over 11 appearances between Colorado and Nashville this season. He's settled in nicely to the backup role with his new team, and he's a strong fantasy play whenever he starts. Mackenzie Blackwood will likely get the nod versus the Kraken on Sunday.
9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
MacKinnon gets 3 points, Avalanche hold off Ducks | NHL.com Makar, Nichushkin each has goal, assist for Colorado; Wedgewood makes 29 saves
9 HOURS AGO • NHL.COM
Nathan MacKinnon's 3-point outing lifts Avalanche past Ducks Nathan MacKinnon had two assists and an empty-net goal in the Colorado Avalanche’s 4-2 road win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.The Avalanc...
10 HOURS AGO • SACBEE.COM
Ducks done in by Avalanche's special teams in defeat Cale Makar has a power-play goal, Parker Kelly scores short-handed and Nathan MacKinnon has an empty-net goal and two assists as Colorado de...
10 HOURS AGO • DAILYNEWS.COM
Makar, Avalanche continue special teams success in 4-2 win over Ducks
Cale Makar had a power-play goal and an assist, Parker Kelly scored short-handed and the Colorado Avalanche capitalized on special teams to get a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks11 HOURS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scott Wedgewood - Starting in Anaheim Wedgewood will start Friday's road game versus Anaheim, Ducks PA Announcer Phil Hulett reports.
Impact Wedgewood lost his last start, giving up three goals on 22 shots against Utah. The 32-year-old has won three of five outings with the Avalanche, including one shutout, and he's allowed just nine goals since he was traded from the Predators. Wedgewood has a favorable matchup Friday, though the Avalanche are playing the second half of a back-to-back.
14 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Avs-Sharks Game 34 Studs & Duds - DNVR Sports The Colorado Avalanche prevailed over the San Jose Sharks last night, 4-2. These are the Avs studs and duds from the game.
18 HOURS AGO • THEDNVR.COM
Josh Manson - Won't play Friday Manson (upper body) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Anaheim, Brennan Vogt of Mile High Hockey reports.
Impact There was some hope that Manson could return during Colorado's three-game road trip this week, but he'll remain sidelined for the final matchup of the trip. His final chance to return before the NHL's Christmas break will be Sunday against the Kraken, but it's unclear whether he'll suit up for that contest.
22 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Chris Wagner - Sent to minors Wagner was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Friday.
Impact Wagner has spent most of this season in the NHL, and he remained with the Avalanche for Thursday's game against San Jose despite recently clearing waivers. However, he hasn't had a significant impact this year, totaling one goal, 47 hits, nine blocked shots and a minus-7 rating while averaging 6:55 of ice time over 23 appearances. Even if he rejoins the Avalanche at some point, it seems unlikely that the 33-year-old will be a reliable fantasy contributor.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Ducks host the Avalanche after Vatrano's 2-goal game
The Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche after Frank Vatrano's two-goal game against the Winnipeg Jets in the Ducks' 3-2 win1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Logan O'Connor - Logs assist in Thursday's win O'Connor provided an assist in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact O'Connor ended a four-game slump when he set up Joel Kiviranta on the go-ahead tally at 13:06 of the third period. The 28-year-old O'Connor continues to fill a third-line role, and that's a spot where he can chip in some supporting offense. He has eight points, 41 shots on net, 37 hits, 15 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 34 contests this season.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Casey Mittelstadt - Generates assist in win Mittelstadt notched an assist in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact Mittelstadt has collected five helpers over his last seven contests. The 26-year-old forward struggled in November, but he's at least partially turned things around while maintaining his spot on the second line. The center has 23 points, 50 shots on net and a minus-17 rating over 34 appearances.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Artturi Lehkonen - Nabs helper in win Lehkonen recorded an assist and two PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact This was Lehkonen's first helper since Nov. 30 versus the Oilers, though he's hard been a slouch with six goals over nine outings in December. The winger set up the second of Joel Kiviranta's two goals in the third period. Lehkonen is up to 16 points, 49 shots on net, a plus-7 rating and 15 blocked shots over 22 games in a top-six role. He doesn't have the high-end offense of some of his teammates, but his proximity to them in the lineup makes Lehkonen a reliable depth forward in fantasy.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Blackwood and Georgiev face former teams as Avalanche and Sharks square off after swapping goalies
It didn’t take long before goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev found themselves on opposite ends of the rink stopping shots from their former teammates1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cale Makar - Helps out twice on power play Makar notched a pair of power-play assists, three shots on goal, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact Makar has a goal and seven assists over nine outings in December, with just two of those being multi-point efforts this month. The 26-year-old defenseman had a hand in tallies by Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen. Makar is up to 40 points (17 on the power play), 100 shots on net, 46 blocked shots, 29 hits and a plus-2 rating over 34 appearances. He may not match last year's 90-point effort, but he should be among the top-scoring blueliners all season.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Nathan MacKinnon - Two power-play helpers in win MacKinnon recorded two power-play assist, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact MacKinnon earned his fourth multi-point effort of December, matching his total from November. He's been particularly good lately with four goals and seven assists over his last five contests, and that includes one game in which he failed to get on the scoresheet. The superstar center is already at 52 points (16 on the power play), and he's added 133 shots on net, 29 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 34 appearances. His current pace is lower than last year's 51-goal, 140-point performance, but MacKinnon should still cross the century mark for a third straight year as long as he stays healthy.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Valeri Nichushkin - Strikes for power-play goal Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on five shots, blocked three shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact Nichushkin has scored in back-to-back contests for the third time this season. The 29-year-old opened the scoring at 3:40 of the first period. He's up to nine goals (two on the power play), four assists, 39 shots on net, 14 hits and an even plus-minus rating over 17 appearances. Nichushkin was on the top line Thursday after playing the bulk of his time on the second line, though any spot in the Avalanche's top six should be enough for him to stay productive.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Mikko Rantanen - On seven-game point streak Rantanen scored a power-play goal on three shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Impact Rantanen's tally tied the game at 2-2 in the third period, setting the stage for Joel Kiviranta's two-goal heroics later in the frame. During his seven-game point streak, Rantanen has four goals and nine assists, with just two of those 13 points coming on the power play. The 28-year-old superstar is up to 19 goals, 48 points (14 on the power play), 95 shots on net, 22 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 34 appearances.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
