Valeri Nichushkin Out On Thursday
2 days agoColorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against Buffalo. He sustained a lower-body injury on Tuesday versus Winnipeg. Per Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey, head coach Jared Bednar has described Nichushkin's injury as "more of a minor deal." This suggests that the Russian forward can make a relatively quick return. After a suspension delayed his season debut, Nichushkin has been performing well in 2024-25, recording 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in 21 outings. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen might be reunited on the first line due to Nichushkin's absence. Jonathan Drouin, who returned to the lineup with a two-assist performance on Tuesday, is also an option to move up to the top line.
Source: Conor McGahey
Source: Conor McGahey