Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche is expected to play in the upcoming game after being doubtful due to protocol clearance. He was seen practicing with different line combinations and is set to feature on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Jonathan Drouin. Justus Annunen is unable to play due to illness.
Val Nichushkin is expected to play tonight for the #Avs. Jared Bednar said the new-look second line will be Nichushkin, Casey Middelstadt and Jonathan Drouin. He said Justus Annunen is under the weather, but hopes he’ll be able to back up tonight.
It will be Drouin - Mittelstadt - Nichushkin tonight. Annunen is sick, according to Bednar.
Nichushkin is playing tonight.
Casey Mittelstadt is also wearing maroon for the #Avs. If Nichushkin plays tonight, it appears that PP2 will be … Toews, Girard, Mittelstadt, Colton and Nichushkin
Today is a VERY optional skate, so I can't give you accurate lines. Val Nichushkin is on the ice today. #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado https://t.co/sMOGxy9i00
Coach Bednar on @AltitudeSR: Nichushkin is doubtful for tonight against the Red Wings but hopeful for Fri against the Wild. #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado
Bednar says Nichushkin is probably “doubtful” tonight and they’re hopeful for Friday on @AltitudeSR There’s a protocol to get cleared to play and they’re waiting on approval.
No word from #Avs coach Jared Bednar on Val Nichushkin for tomorrow night. Still TBD. Logan O’Connor and Joel Kiviranta were maintenance days today. Sure sounds like Alexandar Georgiev will be back in the net tomorrow night, even with two straight shutouts for Justice Annunen.
Nichushkin is on a line with Colton and Drouin #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado
Val Nichushkin is out on the ice wearing a 2nd line Burgundy sweater #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado https://t.co/NkDauUoTZ1
Bednar says Nichushkin is coming along nicely but will not play tonight. Says he'll get in sometime this week most likely.
Val Nichushkin is playing defense on the PK for the #Avs at the morning skate. That doesn’t seem like “preparing to play tonight” but we’ll see.
Valeri Nichushkin is in white this morning, so not designated to a powerplay. We’ll find out after skate, but that would indicate to me that he probably isn’t in tonight.