This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Finds twine in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Nichushkin got the Avalanche on the board at 5:53 of the third period, but their comeback effort came up short. The 31-year-old winger was dropped to the third line to begin this series after going scoreless in the last three games of the second round. In this postseason, he's earned two goals, two assists, 15 shots on net, 14 hits and a plus-3 rating over 10 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog: Strikes on power play in loss
Rotowire
Landeskog scored a power-play goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Landeskog netted his fourth goal of the postseason to make things interesting late in the third period. The Avalanche weren't able to tie the game despite the captain's effort. Landeskog is up to nine points, 26 shots on net, 34 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 10 playoff contests. He should continue to operate in a top-six role and on the power play.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Scott Wedgewood: Loses Game 1 of WCF
Rotowire
Wedgewood stopped 24 of 27 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.
Wedgewood didn't get enough support early on while keeping Vegas off the board for the first 32-plus minutes until Dylan Coghlan scored at 12:29 of the second period. This was just the second loss in nine outings this postseason for Wedgewood, and it's the third time he's allowed more than two goals. The absence of Cale Makar (undisclosed) looms large, but the Avalanche's defense still did fairly well despite the loss. Game 2 is Friday, but head coach Jared Bednar has yet to reveal his starting goalie for that contest.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Alex Gagne: Back with AHL club
Rotowire
Gagne was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Wednesday, Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High reports.
Gagne got into a few practices with the Avalanche earlier this week. He'll head back to the AHL with the Eagles continuing their playoff series against Coachella Valley on Wednesday.
Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day and won't play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar's absence is a shocking development and one that's terrible for the Avalanche. Although it's been suspected that the defenseman hasn't been fully healthy, especially given his lack of practice time during the playoffs, Makar still appeared in Colorado's first nine postseason outings this year while averaging 24:59 of ice time, including 25:50 in Colorado's 4-3 series-clinching overtime victory over Minnesota in Game 5 on May 13. Makar's exit from the lineup coincides with Sam Malinski's projected return after missing two games due to an upper-body injury. Jack Ahcan might have been a healthy scratch if Makar was available, but it now looks like Ahcan will remain in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Scott Wedgewood: Slated to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Wedgewood is expected to start at home against Vegas in Game 1 on Wednesday, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
After entering last Wednesday's Game 5 matchup against Minnesota in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood, Wedgewood stopped all seven shots he faced en route to a 4-3 series-winning overtime victory. The 33-year-old Wedgewood is 7-1 with a 2.21 GAA and a .914 save percentage in eight outings this playoffs. Vegas has averaged an impressive 3.67 goals per game in the 2026 postseason.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Artturi Lehkonen: Set to play in Game 1
Rotowire
Lehkonen (upper body) is slated to suit up in Game 1 versus Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Lehkonen looks set to step back into a second-line role after missing two games. In addition to his five-on-five spot, the winger should link up with the No. 2 power-play unit. Prior to his absence, Lehkonen generated three goals and three helpers in his previous seven outings.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Malinksi (upper body) is expected back in the lineup for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Malinski sat out the final two contests of Colorado's second-round series against the Wild. In seven appearances this postseason, the 27-year-old has one goal, two assists, 14 shots, 14 blocks and seven hits. With Malinski back in the lineup and Cale Makar (undisclosed) unavailable, Jack Ahcan will remain in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Cale Makar: Expected to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Makar (undisclosed) is slated to play against Vegas on Wednesday in Game 1, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar hasn't practiced much during the playoffs and likely isn't fully healthy, but he should be available for the start of the Western Conference Finals. He hasn't missed a game yet this postseason, compiling four goals, one assist, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances.
Burns (undisclosed) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Burns sat out some on-ice sessions after Colorado's series-clinching 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota last Wednesday. However, he should be ready for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Vegas this Wednesday. Burns has contributed three assists, 14 shots on goal, six blocked shots and 13 hits in nine appearances this postseason.
Bradley scored twice and added an assist in AHL Colorado's 4-1 win over Coachella Valley in Game 3 on Sunday.
Bradley is up to three goals and three assists over nine playoff contests. He had just 12 points in 42 regular-season outings this year, so his production in the postseason, while not elite, is a good sign. The 24-year-old will remain with the Eagles as long as their playoff run is active.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Sam Malinski: Could return Wednesday
Rotowire
Malinski (upper body) participated fully in Sunday's practice and is trending toward being ready for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Following a two-game absence, Malinski could be ready for the beginning of the Western Conference Finals. He has registered one goal, two assists, 14 shots on net, 14 blocked shots and seven hits in seven appearances this postseason.
... See More... See Less
Avalanche's Josh Manson: Back at practice
Rotowire
Manson (undisclosed) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
After sitting out Saturday's on-ice session and being listed as day-to-day, Manson should be available for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Through the first two rounds of the 2026 playoffs, he has contributed two assists, eight shots on net and 13 hits in five appearances.
1:46
0:58
1:45
0:58
0:53
1:49
0:53
1:04
1:14
1:56
1:58
1:14
1:10
0:49
1:25
0:40
6:38
0:52
1:09
5:14
