Avalanche Face Sharks with New Goalie in Season Debut

San Jose, California — The Colorado Avalanche are set to take on the San Jose Sharks today at the SAP Center at 4 p.m. ET. This match marks the season debut of goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who recently recovered from offseason surgery for a lower-body injury.

The Avalanche come into the game after a solid 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Martin Nečas scored just 40 seconds into that game, contributing to the team’s fourth win in five outings. Defenseman Cale Makar and forward Brock Nelson also added goals, keeping Colorado at the top of the Central Division.

Despite their recent success, the Avalanche face challenges with injuries. Samuel Girard (upper body) and Logan O'Connor (hip surgery) are expected to miss today’s game. Meanwhile, Gavin Brindley’s status is uncertain after he sustained a hit during the game against Vegas.

On the Sharks’ side, they are struggling this season with a record of 2-6-2. Coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed that defenseman Nick Leddy (upper body) is sidelined, but forward Michael Misa might return after being a healthy scratch. The Sharks are desperate for a win, having lost their last 12 games against the Avalanche.

Macklin Celebrini leads the Sharks with 17 points, including six goals. They hope to reverse their fortunes today, aiming for a strong performance against their divisional rivals.

The matchup is particularly crucial for both teams as they navigate the early part of the season, with the Avalanche looking to maintain their momentum and the Sharks aiming to secure a much-needed win.