Desharnais was with the extras after Edmonton's morning skate Wednesday indicating he is likely a scratch for Philip Broberg ahead of Game 4. The 28-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has an assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played so far.
Smith was San Jose's top prospect and 2023 first-round pick (4th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday worth $4.15 million ($950,000 AAV). The 19-year-old just finished up his Freshman season with Boston College (NCAA) and had 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games played.
Dellandrea has not played since Game 4 of the Stars' opening series vs. Vegas but will draw back into the lineup on Saturday for Radek Faksa. In four games so far in the 2023-24 playoffs, the 23-year-old left-winger has a goal, five SOG and two PIMs.
Cagnoni was San Jose's 2023 fourth-round pick (123rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday with the Sharks. The 19-year-old defenseman is looking like a draft-day steal after putting up 18 goals and 90 points in 65 games with Portland (WHL) in his fourth junior season in 2023-24.
Georgiev allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) for a third straight loss but was far and away Colorado's biggest problem in Game 4 and will take the crease again on Wednesday. The 28-year-old has had a very up-and-down playoffs so far, with his 5-4-0 record, 3.10 GAA and .891 SV%. He will head to Dallas to take on the Stars, who are looking for their second-straight series win on Wednesday.
Georgiev stopped 19 of 22 shots in the Avalanche's come from behind win in Game 1. Georgiev was absolutely lit up in his first start of the playoffs but has gone 5-0 with 2.12 GAA and .921 SV% in five games since. Tonight he'll backstop the Avalanche as +118 road underdogs, who are looking to take the series back to Colorado up 2-0.
Kovalenko appeared in two games during Colorado's opening series win over Winnipeg but will head to the press box for the Avalanche's opening game in Dallas. The 24-year-old will be replaced by Chris Wagner after failing to pick up a point while averaging just below 7 minutes TOI.
Despite allowing seven goals in Colorado's playoff-opening loss, Georgiev led the Avalanche to four straight wins and a series-opening victory over Winnipeg with his stellar play and 4-1-0 record, .900 SV% and 3.03 GAA. The 28-year-old will unsurprisingly take the crease on Tuesday for Game 1 in Dallas after leading the NHL in wins (38) for a second straight season in 2023-24. He will head to Dallas to take on the Stars, who finished a hard-fought seven-game series vs. Vegas on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at home.
Dellandrea has appeared in four games for Dallas in their opening series but will be a scratch for Game 7 vs. Vegas as Radek Faksa returns to the lineup. The 23-year-old had one goal, five SOG, and two PIMs while averaging 11:57 TOI/GP through his four games played.
No surprise here as the Avalanche will roll with their starting netminder as they look to eliminate the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday night. Georgiev has rebounded admirably since a dreadful performance in Game 1, winning three straight games and posting a .938 SV% in the process. The 27-year-old now owns a 2.70 GAA and a .907 SV% in 13 career playoff games. He and the Avalanche enter action on Tuesday as slight favourites at -120.
Liljegren will get a chance to play with the Maple Leafs' season on the line on Tuesday after sitting out Game 4 in favour of T.J. Brodie. Liljegren has gone pointless in three games this series, posting a -2 rating.
Liljegren will be replaced by TJ Brodie in the lineup for Game 4. Head coach Sheldon Keefe said that Liljegren has not been 100 percent, which is the reason he's the one coming out to make room for Brodie.
