Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Toews was hit high by Dallas' captain Jamie Benn in the second period of Game 2 and was forced to leave before returning in the third period and is not feeling any effects on Friday according to head coach Jared Bednar. The 30-year-old has been a staple on Colorado's back-end all playoffs, with a goal, five points, 10 SOG and +5 plus/minus while averaging 23:49 TOI/GP.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and was considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but appears ready to return. Caleb Jones will sit in his place.
Girard was originally a full participant in the morning skate on Friday but left early as the team finished out their practice and is considered a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old has been out since April 13th due to a concussion but is on the cusp of returning. If he is unable to go, Caleb Jones will continue to lock down Colorado's third defensive pairing role.
Girard has participated in the past few practices but will likely need at least one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last played on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.
Holm was a last-minute inclusion on the Avalanche roster in their game one matchup on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, serving as the backup to Alexandar Georgiev due to Justus Annunen (illness) not being able to suit up. In a corresponding move, Ivan Prosvetov has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and will likely serve as the backup to Georgiev in game two.
Girard was a full participant in the morning skate on Sunday but will be out for Game 1 vs. Winnipeg as he takes one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last appeared on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.
Francouz did not participate in the 2023-24 season due to a groin injury and has announced his retirement from the NHL. Francouz battled injuries last season as well, recording a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% while playing in only 16 games (8-7-1). The 33-year-old Francouz ends his career with a 2.49 GAA, .919 SV%, and four shutouts in 73 games (44-21-6).
Philadelphia's season ended Tuesday, so Ronnie Attard has been reassigned to Lehigh-Valley for their playoff run. The 25-year-old defenseman appeared in only 12 games for the Flyers this season and had two assists, 14 SOG, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
MacDonald missed the Sharks' previous game due to an undisclosed injury and will miss the remainder of the regular season after not travelling with the team on their road trip on Monday. The 31-year-old ends his 2023-24 with a career-high seven goals and 34 games played, alongside his two assists, 49 SOG and 23 PIMs.
Brindley was the 34th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old had an impressive 2023-24 campaign with the University of Michigan, scoring 53 points (25G / 28A) in 40 games.
Blackwood concludes his first season with the Sharks, showcasing a 3.45 GAA and .899 SV% through 44 games (10-25-4). Georgi Romanov has been recalled from the San Jose Barracuda and will likely serve as the backup to Devin Cooley.
Brindley was the 34th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old had an impressive 2023-24 campaign with the University of Michigan, scoring 53 points (25G / 28A) in 40 games.
Guschin was the 76th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games with the Sharks earlier this season but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the San Jose Barracuda, scoring 54 points (20G / 34A) in 56 games.
