NHL Player News

Middleton was in the lineup for the 10th time in 11 games in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Canucks.

He doesn't have a point in that span, but he's posted a plus-2 rating, nine shots on net, 18 hits and 11 blocked shots. Middleton continues to see steady time on the third pairing, filling in at various times for Ryan Lindgren (upper body), Josh Manson (upper body) and Samuel Girard, who was back in action Thursday. Middleton has two assists, 40 shots, 68 hits, 34 blocks and a plus-1 rating over 39 appearances in a part-time role this season. If the Avalanche are fully healthy entering the playoffs, expect Middleton to be a healthy scratch.

Makar notched an assist, two shots on goal, four blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Canucks.

Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette reports Makar is open to taking rest during the last two games of the regular season, so fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place. In any case, Makar's remained dynamic late in the season with six goals and 11 assists over his last 13 contests. He's at 30 goals and 92 points, both career highs, while adding 246 shots on net, 128 blocked shots, 51 hits and a plus-28 rating over 80 appearances. He hasn't missed a game yet this year, but Makar's familiar with the playoff grind, so he'll do whatever is necessary to set the Avalanche up for success in the postseason.

Toews scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Canucks.

Toews' offense has been on an upward trajectory lately -- he has three goals and eight assists over his last 10 contests. He got the Avalanche on the board late in the second period of this game. For the season, the 31-year-old blueliner is at 10 goals, 44 points, 138 shots on net, 103 blocked shots and a plus-30 rating over 76 outings. This is the third time in four years he's reached double-digits in goals.

Forbort notched an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche.

Forbort has a goal and three helpers over his last nine outings. It's one of his most productive stretches of the season, but that's not saying much, as he's a low-scoring defensive presence on the third pairing. Overall, the 33-year-old has 11 points, 39 shots on net, 40 PIM, 64 hits, 76 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating through 53 appearances.

Pettersson notched an assist, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche.

Pettersson has a helper in two straight games and seven of his last 12 outings. The 28-year-old helped out on Dakota Joshua's insurance tally in the third period. Pettersson is up to 10 assists in 28 outings with the Canucks, a slightly slower scoring pace than he had with the Penguins earlier in the season. He's at a total of 28 points, 67 shots on net, 140 blocked shots, 77 hits and a plus-7 rating across 75 appearances. If his offense stays warm, he could match his career high of 30 points, which he set last season.

Hronek notched an assist, three shots on goal, four hits and a plus-4 rating in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche.

Hronek is on a four-game point streak, which consists of a goal and four assists, as well as a plus-10 rating. The 27-year-old defenseman has 33 points this season, including 15 over his last 20 contests. Overall, he's at 80 shots on net, 84 hits, 72 blocked shots, 40 PIM and a plus-4 rating across 58 appearances.

Hague (illness) did not return to the lineup Thursday versus the Kraken, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Hague's status evidently came down to a game-time decision, and he wasn't able to go. Ben Hutton will stay in the lineup for a second consecutive game, while Hague will try to be ready for Saturday's game versus the Predators.

Trouba (lower body) will be in the lineup versus the Kings on Thursday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Trouba missed three games due to the injury. He'll replace Oliver Kylington in the lineup and will play alongside Olen Zellweger. Trouba was held without a point in four games prior to his absence and has just two points over his last 16 outings.

Manson (upper body) was put on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Manson, who was already ruled out for Thursday's clash against Vancouver, hasn't played since March 14, so he can be activated at any time. He has a goal, 15 points, 105 hits and 59 blocks in 48 outings in 2024-25. When healthy, Manson's presence might push Erik Johnson out of the lineup.

Christiansen sustained an upper-body injury during Thursday's clash against Buffalo and isn't expected to return to the game.

Christiansen was playing in just his second game since returning from an upper-body injury, but it's not clear if this is a recurrence of that issue or something new. He has a goal, eight points, 50 hits and 65 blocks in 67 appearances in 2024-25. If Christiansen can't play Saturday versus Washington, then Jack Johnson might draw back into the lineup.