VALERI NICHUSHKIN NEWS

Scores in Saturday's win Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots, doled out three hits and added two PIM in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Coyotes.

Impact Nichushkin's tally early in the second period stood as the game-winner. He has six goals and six assists during his seven-game point streak. The 28-year-old winger continues to excel on the top line, racking up 16 goals, 17 assists, 97 shots on net, 40 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-10 rating through 32 contests overall.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Distributes three helpers Nichushkin recorded three assists, including one on the power play, and two shots on goal in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Senators.

Impact Nichushkin helped out on three of Nathan MacKinnon's four goals in the game. The Avalanche's top line and power play carried the offense, as is often the case. Nichushkin has done his part with five goals and six helpers during his six-game point streak. For the season, the top-line winger has 32 points (11 on the power play), 95 shots on net, 37 hits and a plus-9 rating through 31 appearances.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two more power-play goals Nichushkin scored a pair of power-play goals on five shots, logged two hits and added two PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

Impact Nichushkin tallied his goals 2:03 apart in the middle of the first period. The winger has five tallies and three assists during his five-game point streak, and four of the goals have come with the man advantage. Overall, he's produced 15 goals, 29 points (10 on the power play), 93 shots on net, 37 hits, 16 PIM and a plus-8 rating over 30 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring on power play Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact Nichushkin opened the scoring at 7:18 of the first period, and the Avalanche held a 3-0 lead by the intermission. The winger has three goals and three helpers over his last four games, bouncing back from a three-game pointless stretch earlier in the month. For the season, he's up to 13 tallies, 27 points (eight on the power play), 88 shots on net, 35 hits and a plus-8 rating over 29 appearances. Nichushkin mostly plays in a top-line role, and that's where he's found the most success in 2023-24.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Points in three straight Nichushkin had an assist, five shots and two hits over 27:21 of ice time in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Jets.

Impact Nichushkin led a rush from the Colorado zone before finding Jack Jones in the slot for the Avalanche's second goal. It was the third straight game on the scoresheet for Nichushkin, who had a pair of goals against Buffalo on Wednesday and two helpers against the Calgary on Monday. The 28-year-old Russian is on the way to his most productive season with 26 points in 28 games.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche take on the Jets after Nichushkin's 2-goal game

The Colorado Avalanche visit the Winnipeg Jets after Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the Avalanche's 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nichushkin scores twice, Avalanche beat Sabres 5-1 as Erik Johnson makes return to Colorado

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice, Nathan MacKinnon reached 800 career points with two assists and the Colorado Avalanche rode a fast start to a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Supplies pair of helpers Nichushkin recorded two assists, two shots on goal and two PIM in Monday's 6-5 win over the Flames.

Impact Nichushkin played a key role in the comeback win, setting up Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon for goals 1:59 apart in the third period. Those were the game-tying and game-winning tallies. Nichushkin snapped his three-game point drought and now has 23 points, 72 shots on net, 14 PIM, 33 hits and a plus-5 rating over 26 outings this season. He should continue to see top-line usage in this top-heavy offense.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Nichushkin had five shots on net, two blocked shots and three hits over 21:58 of ice time in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Flyers.

Impact Nichushkin returned to the lineup after missing two games due to illness and opened on the second line with Mikko Rantanen and Tomas Tatar. By the third period, both Nichushkin and Rantanen were reunited with Nathan MacKinnon on the top line. The slumping Avalanche -- losers in five of the last six games -- are averaging just 2.3 goals during their downturn, which has left coach Jared Bednar searching for the right combinations to trigger the offense. Having Nichushkin back will help achieve that objective.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Saturday Nichushkin (illness) is good to return for Saturday's game against Philadelphia, Tyler King of The Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Nichushkin missed the Avalanche's previous two contests due to the disease. He has 10 goals and 21 points in 24 outings in 2023-24. His return might result in Kurtis MacDermid serving as a healthy scratch Saturday.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Skates Friday Nichushkin (illness) skated during Friday's optional skate, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Nichushkin was back on the ice after missing the last two games. The Avalanche are preparing for Saturday's home game against the Flyers and could use Nichushkin's offense. Over the last two games, Colorado head coach Jared Bednar has tweaked the lines, but a healthy Nichushkin should slot in as a top-six forward.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains unavailable Nichushkin (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Thursday, Marc Moser of Altitude Sports 950 reports.

Impact Nichushkin is putting together a strong start to the campaign with 21 points in 24 contests to open the season, including six power-play points. At this rate, Nichushkin could top his career-best 52-point campaign he recorded back in 2021-22.

DECEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't suit up Nichushkin (illness) is not expected to play Tuesday versus the Ducks, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Impact There was optimism Nichushkin would be able to go Tuesday, but that's not the case. With Cale Makar (lower body) and Andrew Cogliano (lower body) both out, Kurtis MacDermid and Oscar Olausson will both get into the lineup, while Logan O'Connor figure to pick up the bulk of Nichushkin's playing time.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Nichushkin (illness) is expected to be a game-time decision Tuesday versus Anaheim, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Impact Nichushkin didn't take part in Tuesday's morning skate, but the team is hopeful that he will be able to play against the Ducks. He has racked up 10 goals, 21 points, 65 shots on net and 29 hits through 24 contests this campaign. If Nichushkin can't play, Kurtis MacDermid could slot into the lineup.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Helps on power play Nichushkin recorded a power-play assist, three shots on net, one blocked shot and one hit over 25:00 of ice time in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Coyotes.

Impact Nichushkin, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar had a little game of pass along the wall before Makar struck for the game's first goal. In addition to the secondary assist, Nichushkin helped by providing the screen of Connor Ingram. It was the first assist on the power play for Nichushkin, who also has five tallies while up a skater. The Avalanche would like to see what the Russian forward can do over a full year with good health; he hasn't played more than 65 games in any of the last five seasons. Overall, Nichushkin has 10 goals, 21 points, 60 shots on goal, 25 hits, nine blocks and 12 PIM through 22 games.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Extends streak with empty-netter Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal on two shots and added three hits in Monday's 4-1 win over the Lightning.

Impact Nichushkin's tally in the third period kept his point streak alive at eight games (eight goals, four assists). The 28-year-old winger has surged in November to reach the 10-goal mark after tallying just once in October. For the season, he's produced 20 points, 58 shots, 24 hits and a plus-8 rating through 21 appearances as a constant member of the Avalanche's top six.

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Riding seven-game point streak Nichushkin logged an assist in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Impact Nichushkin's goal streak ended at six games, but the helper kept the point streak alive. The winger's 10th assist of the year came on Nathan MacKinnon's response goal in the second period. Nichushkin has been excellent since replacing the injured Artturi Lehkonen (neck) on the top line. For the season, Nichushkin has nine goals, 10 helpers, 56 shots on net, 21 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 20 contests.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores on power play again Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on five shots in Friday's 3-2 win over the Wild.

Impact Nichushkin's tally in the second period briefly gave the Avalanche a 2-0 lead. The winger has scored in six straight games, racking up seven goals and three assists over that span. For the season, he's up to nine goals, 18 points, 55 shots on net, 20 hits and a plus-6 rating through 19 contests.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stays hot Wednesday Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on three shots, notched an assist and added two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

Impact This was Nichushkin's fourth straight two-point game. In that span, he has five goals and three helpers. He's up to eight tallies, 17 points (four on the power play), 50 shots on net, 20 hits and a plus-6 rating through 18 contests overall. The 28-year-old winger is capable of maintaining a hot streak as long as he's playing alongside Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon on the top line.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another two-point effort Nichushkin tallied a goal and an assist in Monday's 4-3 loss to Nashville.

Impact Nichushkin set up Andrew Cogliano for a short-handed tally that opened the scoring in the first period before adding a goal on a power play in the second. The 28-year-old Nichushkin has scored in five of his last six games while recording three consecutive two-point performances. He's off to a great start alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on Colorado's top line, logging seven goals and 15 points through his first 17 games.

NOVEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns two points in win Nichushkin scored a goal on five shots, dished an assist, went plus-2, added three hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Stars.

Impact Nichushkin did it himself on the game-tying goal, going high to beat Jake Oettinger. Just over 10 minutes later, Nichushkin helped out on Mikko Rantanen's game-winner. With five goals and two helpers over his last six games, Nichushkin is thriving with more responsibility on the top line. He's up to six tallies, 13 points, 43 shots, 18 hits, 10 PIM and a plus-5 rating through 16 contests overall.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche visit the Stars after Nichushkin's 2-goal game

The Colorado Avalanche visit the Dallas Stars after Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the Avalanche's 8-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores twice in blowout win Nichushkin scored two goals on five shots and added two hits in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Ducks.

Impact One of Nichushkin's goals came on the power play. He's been effective with four goals and one assist over his last five contests, adding a plus-4 rating in that span. The 28-year-old winger has five goals, 11 points, 38 shots, 15 hits, 10 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 15 contests. His increased offense should continue as long as he's seeing top-line minutes alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nets late power-play goal Nichushkin scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two PIM in Monday's 5-1 win over the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin got a piece of a Cale Makar shot to net the Avalanche's last goal Monday. With three points over his last four contests, Nichushkin is starting to find a groove. He's up to three goals, six helpers, 33 shots on net, 13 hits, 10 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 14 contests. His goal Monday was his first power-play contribution of the year after earning 16 of his 47 points with the man advantage last season.

NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies Thursday Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Kraken.

Impact Nichushkin was initially questionable for this game after he and his wife welcomed a daughter Wednesday, but the winger was able to play. His goal tied the game at 3-3 in the third period, but the Avalanche weren't able to get to overtime. Nichushkin had gone eight games without a goal. He's at two tallies, six assists, 25 shots on net, 10 hits, eight PIM and a plus-3 rating through 12 contests. If Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) misses time, Nichushkin would be the logical choice to fill in on the top line.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE