Deadspin: Versatile Noah Juulsen Gets His Chance as Avalanche Take Aim at Flames

Juulsen Moves Onto Defense

Colorado coach Jared Bednar used Juulsen as a winger while deploying seven defensemen early this season. With Manson sidelined, Juulsen is next in line and could play alongside Brett Kulak against the Flames.

Juulsen signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with Colorado during the summer. Bednar praised his attitude and said he has performed well for the team.

Colorado Looks To Build Momentum

The Avalanche beat the Devils 5-2 at home after dropping three of their previous four games. Saturday is their third game in seven days and part of a schedule featuring four of six games in Denver before a four-game road trip.

Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado with 22 points, including eight goals and 14 assists. Artturi Lehkonen has a team-high 10 goals, while Mackenzie Blackwood is 6-3-0 with a 2.81 goals-against average in nine games.

Flames Adjust In Goal

Cooley was injured in Calgary’s 4-0 loss to Edmonton on Wednesday after a collision with Colton Dach. The Flames placed him on injured reserve Friday and called up Arsenii Sergeev from the Calgary Wranglers.

Coach Ryan Huska described Cooley as week-to-week. Dustin Wolf started against Seattle on Friday, stopping 20 shots in a 6-2 Calgary win. Wolf has a 4.39 goals-against average this season; Cooley had a 2.69 mark in seven appearances.

Calgary Also Missing Othmann

Forward Brennan Othmann is out against Colorado with an upper-body injury. Huska called the left winger day-to-day, and Calgary recalled William Stromgren from the Wranglers.