Goalie Philipp Grubauer isn’t quite ready, so Adam Werner will make his first NHL start Thursday when the Avalanche play in Edmonton.
Werner made 40 saves after relieving Pavel Francouz (head injury) 31 seconds into the game Tuesday in his NHL debut, a 4-0 win in Winnipeg, the Avalanche’s third consecutive win. Antoine Bibeau, who was recalled Wednesday from the Colorado Eagles is expected to be the backup.
Here's the Avalanche (reportedly leaked) Stadium Series jersey on an adizero. Could most definitely end up the most adventurous jersey of the decade. pic.twitter.com/Niu9SgAiLa
— KP8 (@KP8Design) November 14, 2019
Grubauer (lower-body injury) and center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (concussion protocol) took part in the morning skate. Coach Jared Bednar told reporters that Bellemare, who was injured Saturday against Columbus, will be a game-time decision.
Defenseman Kevin Connauton will make his Avalanche debut, replacing Mark Barberio. Connauton was recalled from the Eagles on Tuesday.
The projected lineup:
FORWARDS Matt Calvert -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Joonas Dnskoi Valeri Nichushkin -- Nazem Kadri -- J.T. Compher Matt Nieto -- Tyson Jost -- Andre Burakovsky Jayson Megna -- Vladislav Kamenev -- T.J. Tynan
DEFENSE Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson Ryan Graves -- Cale Makar Ian Cole -- Kevin Connauton
GOALIES Adam Werner Antoine Bibeau