Girard notched two assists and went plus-2 in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Senators.
Girard has three helpers over his last four contests. The 26-year-old defenseman is being deployed as usual in a second-pairing role with a little power-play time, but he isn't finding much consistency. He has five assists, three shots on goal, seven hits, 15 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over nine games this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Manages helper in win
Rotowire
Girard posted an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.
Girard was the latest defenseman to get a look alongside Cale Makar on the top pairing, and it was on Makar's empty-netter that Girard earned his third point of the season. All three of them have been assists, as Girard has struggled to get involved in the offense. He's added just two shots on net with five hits, 11 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating across six appearances. He's worth a look in deeper formats as long as Devon Toews (lower body) is out.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Earns 200th career point
Rotowire
Girard logged two assists in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Golden Knights.
Girard's first helper was the 200th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 476th game. The 26-year-old blueliner is locked into a top-four role for the Avalanche, though he'll also be limited to the second power-play unit. He's topped the 30-point mark four times in his career, but he was held to 18 points in 59 regular-season outings in 2023-24 after a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Girard has reached the 70-game mark in just four of his first seven seasons, so fantasy managers should expect him to sit out with injuries on occasion.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Pockets assist in win
Rotowire
Girard logged an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.
Girard helped out on Casey Mittelstadt's go-ahead goal early in the third period. The helper was Girard's third in eight playoff appearances, and he hasn't scored a goal this postseason. The defenseman has added a modest eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, 10 hits and a plus-4 rating while skating in a second-pairing role since he recovered from a concussion that cost him four contests in mid-April.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Nabs helper in postseason debut
Rotowire
Girard recorded an assist, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 6-2 win over the Jets in Game 3.
Girard missed four games with a concussion, but he returned with 21:05 of ice time in Friday's contest. He also snapped the 10-game point drought that led into his absence, assisting on a Ross Colton tally in the third period. Caleb Jones was scratched to make way for Girard, who should hold down a top-four role going forward.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Girard (concussion) will return to the lineup for Game 3 against Winnipeg on Friday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Girard will return after missing the last four games. The 25-year-old was held without a point over his final 10 appearances in the regular season. He tallied three goals and 18 points in 59 games during the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Might be available for Friday
Rotowire
Girard (concussion) could return for Game 3 versus the Jets on Friday, per Adrian Hernandez of Mile High Hockey on Wednesday.
Girard has missed the Avalanche's last four contests due to the concussion. He had three goals, 18 points, 73 shots, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 59 regular-season outings. If Girard returns for Game 3, then Caleb Jones might be a healthy scratch.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Not playing Tuesday
Rotowire
Girard (concussion) won't play in Game 2 versus the Jets on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Girard was deemed close to returning at the beginning of the playoffs, but he'll miss his fourth straight contest Tuesday. His next chance to draw into the lineup is Game 3 in Colorado on Friday. Once cleared to play, Girard will likely occupy a bottom-four role.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: To be reevaluated Tuesday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Girard (concussion) will not play in Game 1 against Winnipeg on Sunday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Girard was considered a game-time call but ultimately wasn't healthy enough to get back in the lineup. He's now missed three straight games but could return in time for Game 2 on Tuesday. Girard finished the regular season with three goals and 18 points in 59 contests.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Could play Sunday
Rotowire
Girard (concussion) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 1 against Winnipeg, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Girard missed Colorado's final two regular-season games after suffering a concussion in a loss to the Jets on April 13. The 25-year-old's return would certainly help bolster the Avs' blue line -- Girard had three goals, 18 points, 76 hits and 99 blocked shots across 59 games this year.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: In concussion protocol
Rotowire
Girard has been placed in concussion protocol after being injured in Saturday's matchup against Winnipeg, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Girard isn't likely to appear in the Avalanche's final two regular-season contests. If that ends up being the case, he will conclude the campaign with three goals, 18 points, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 59 outings. His status for the playoffs is unclear, but in the meantime, Caleb Jones will likely draw into the lineup Sunday versus Vegas.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Sustains upper-body injury
Rotowire
Girard suffered an upper-body injury and won't return to Saturday's game against Winnipeg.
Girard entered the contest with three goals, 18 points, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 58 appearances this campaign. If he's unable to play Sunday versus Vegas, Caleb Jones will likely draw into the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Set to play Thursday
Rotowire
Girard (illness) is expected to play Thursday versus the Rangers, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Girard was considered questionable as of Wednesday, but he's apparently healthy enough to go. He has three helpers over 11 contests in March while playing in a top-four role.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Battling illness
Rotowire
Girard is dealing with an illness, according to Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com, so he's questionable for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers.
Girard has three goals, 18 points, 68 hits and 92 blocks in 51 outings in 2023-24. If the 25-year-old can't play Thursday, then Caleb Jones will likely draw into the lineup for the first time since March 13.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Logs helper Friday
Rotowire
Girard produced an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Friday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jackets.
Girard has a helper in each of the last two games following a five-game slump. The 25-year-old defenseman hasn't really picked up the slack since Bowen Byram was traded to the Sabres -- Sean Walker has shown a bit more promise. Girard is at 18 points, 65 shots on net, 65 hits, 89 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 49 appearances on the year. While his offense is lackluster, he should continue to see top-four minutes.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Garners assist Monday
Rotowire
Girard logged an assist in Monday's 5-0 win over the Blackhawks.
Girard snapped a 10-game point drought when he helped out on Jonathan Drouin's first-period tally. Prior to the slump, Girard had worked his way back into fantasy relevance with 11 points across 16 contests following his return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The 25-year-old defenseman is at 16 points, 55 shots on net, 56 hits, 78 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 42 appearances this season. He'll need to find more consistency to be trusted in fantasy.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Breaks goal drought
Rotowire
Girard scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Devils.
Girard's tally was his first since Nov. 15. He picked up nine assists over his 15 contests between goals, a span that also includes his stint in the Player Assistance Program. The defenseman has been steady in a top-four role lately, giving him appeal in deeper fantasy formats despite his limited power-play opportunities on the second unit. Girard is up to 13 points, 36 shots on net, 33 hits, 60 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 30 outings.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Collects assist in win
Rotowire
Girard notched an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 5-1 win over the Kings.
Girard set up Logan O'Connor for the opening tally at 7:44 of the first period. This snapped a three-game dry spell for Girard, his longest drought since returning from his stay in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Girard continues to see top-four minutes and time on the second power-play unit. He's at 12 points, 32 shots on net, 33 hits and 57 blocked shots through 28 outings this season.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Samuel Girard: Three helpers in Tuesday's win
Rotowire
Girard delivered three assists, one on the power play, while adding one shot on net, four blocked shots, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Senators.
All three helpers came in the second half of the game as the Avs scored five unanswered goals to erase a 4-2 deficit. Girard is having a sizzling start to January after missing over a month while in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program -- over the last eight games he's contributed seven assists, 15 hits, 20 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating. The surge has been rewarded with a spot on Colorado's second power-play unit -- Tuesday's PP point was his first of the season.
