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The Colorado Avalanche are set to face the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The Avs are currently third in the Central Division standings, just above the Minnesota Wild. The battle between the third and fourth placed teams will end with either of them setting up tents in the No.3 spot.
It's a crucial match for both teams, but the Colorado Avalanche will miss some important players owing to injuries. Here is a list of injuries and team updates for their match against the Wild, according to head coach Jared Bednar:
#1. Cale Makar is OUT
Star defenseman Cale Makar sustained a head injury in the match against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was initially sidelined for two games, but after Bednar's confirmation, he will be out of the lineup for four straight games and is expected to return on Feb. 18.
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Makar was hurt on a check by Pittsburgh's Jeff Carter in last week's game. Makar has 13 goals and 45 points from the 45 games he has played this season.
Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP last season when the Avalanche stopped Tampa Bay’s two-year reign as NHL champions by winning a six-game Stanley Cup Final.
Josh Manson, who is currently placed in injury reserve, may replace Makar for the Wild game.
#2. Erik Johnson OUT for weeks
Yet another defenseman joins the pile of injured players for the Avs. Erik Johnson sustained a lower-body injury in the game against the Florida Panthers on Friday last week. He is currently placed on injured reserve and is expected to be out until at least March 1.
#3. Alexander Georgiev to start against the Wild
Goalie Alexander Georgiev is set to start against the Wild on Wednesday. In the 37 games he has placed this season, he has a .917 SV% and a GAA of 2.68.
Georgiev is the first Bulgarian-born player to play in the NHL. When he played for the New York Rangers in 2019, Georgiev recorded a career-high 55 saves in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the goaltender with the second-most saves in Rangers history.
Colorado Avalanche are the reigning Stanley Cup champions
The Colorado Avalanche are the 2022 Stanley Cup champions. They dethroned two-time consecutive winners Tampa Bay Lightning, who were on their way to get a three-peat. The Avs will be looking to repeat their performance from last year and win the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive year.
