Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Not available Tuesday
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Nichushkin (lower body) will not play Tuesday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Golden Knights, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Nichushkin didn't take the ice for warmups, indicating he'll be out in a must-win game for the Avalanche. If they're able to extend the series, Nichushkin will be questionable to play at home in Game 5 on Thursday.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Status in question for Game 4
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Nichushkin (lower body) is questionable for Game 4 in Vegas on Tuesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
If Nichushkin is unable to suit up for Game 4, Joel Kiviranta will likely come into the lineup, but the Avalanche could also elect to roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. While Nichushkin is set to be a game-time call Tuesday, Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) is set to be in the lineup for a must-win game. The 31-year-old Nichushkin has been cold lately, accounting for just one goal and a minus-1 rating across Colorado's last six games.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Dealing with lower-body injury
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Nichushkin underwent treatment Monday for a lower-body injury, Eric Francis of Sportsnet reports.
There was no update on Nichushkin's status from the Avalanche, but the team should know more ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday. He logged only 8:34 of ice time in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Vegas in Game 3. Nichushkin has contributed two goals, two assists, 19 shots on net and 17 hits in 12 appearances this postseason.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Hurt in Game 3
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Nichushkin (undisclosed) departed Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals and did not return, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Per Rawal, Nichushkin did not play in the final 22 minutes of Sunday's loss, and there was no update on his status from head coach Jared Bednar after the game. Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) was also banged up in Game 3, so the Avalanche are facing an uphill battle on the cusp of elimination. Nichushkin can be considered questionable for Game 4 in Vegas on Tuesday until information regarding his availability is provided.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Finds twine in Game 1 loss
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Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Nichushkin got the Avalanche on the board at 5:53 of the third period, but their comeback effort came up short. The 31-year-old winger was dropped to the third line to begin this series after going scoreless in the last three games of the second round. In this postseason, he's earned two goals, two assists, 15 shots on net, 14 hits and a plus-3 rating over 10 appearances.
Nichushkin scored an empty-net goal and added two hits in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 2.
Nichushkin ended a 10-game goal drought with the empty-netter at 19:55 of the third period. After getting held scoreless in the Avalanche's first-round sweep of the Kings, Nichushkin has three points over two outings against the Wild in the second round. The winger has added six shots on net, five hits and a plus-2 rating over six playoff contests.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Supplies two helpers Sunday
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Nichushkin registered two assists and two shots on goal in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.
Nichushkin didn't get on the scoresheet during the first round versus the Kings. He's stuck in a 10-game goal drought and has earned just four assists in that span. The 31-year-old winger put up 49 points across 72 regular-season appearances in a middle-six role this year. Prior to this run, he participated in 79 playoff games, earning a total of 39 points.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Dishes two assists in win
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Nichushkin recorded two assists and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Kraken.
Nichushkin had gone four contests without a point prior to Thursday. The 31-year-old will likely fill a top-six role during the playoffs, though he probably won't be a leader on offense. He concludes the regular season with 49 points, 160 shots on net, 55 hits and a plus-9 rating across 72 appearances.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores twice in return to lineup
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Nichushkin scored two goals on six shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Blues.
Nichushkin made an impact after missing Sunday's loss to St. Louis due to an upper-body injury. It was the first time he scored two goals in a single game since a hat trick against the Blues on Dec. 31, and it was just his fourth outing with two or more goals this season. Nichushkin has earned 17 goals and 47 points across 67 contests this season.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Returning against Blues
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Nichushkin (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus St. Louis on Tuesday, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.
Nichushkin returns, having missed just one game due to his upper-body problem. Prior to getting hurt, the veteran forward was stuck in a seven-game goal drought, though he chipped in five assists and 14 shots over that stretch. Nichushkin should take on a middle-six role for the club moving forward and could see time with the man advantage.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Labeled day-to-day
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Nichushkin (upper body) is day-to-day and might be an option for Tuesday's game in St. Louis, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Sunday.
Nichushkin sat out Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Blues due to his upper-body injury. Head coach Jared Bednar said after the game that the team will not take chances with any players who are dealing with an injury this time of year. If Nichushkin ends up playing in St. Louis on Tuesday, Nazem Kadri would probably revert to a third-line role, while Zakhar Bardakov would likely be a healthy scratch.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Contending with UBI
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Nichushkin will be sidelined for Sunday's home matchup against the Blues due to an upper-body injury.
Nichushkin managed 16:43 of ice time in Saturday's 2-0 win in Dallas, so it's not known when exactly he got hurt. Nazem Kadri will slide into the top six Sunday as a result of Nichushkin being unavailable, while Zakhar Bardakov will draw back into the lineup in a fourth-line capacity. The Avalanche will play the Blues again Tuesday in St. Louis.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Provides two assists in loss
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Nichushkin registered two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Canucks.
Nichushkin has a goal and six helpers over his last seven contests. The 31-year-old winger continues to contribute in a top-six role, though he had just 13:01 of ice time Tuesday despite the Avalanche needing to push for offense. He's up to 45 points, 147 shots on net, 53 hits, 24 PIM, 23 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating over 65 appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Goal, assist in Friday's win
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Nichushkin scored a goal and added an assist in Friday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Nichushkin had gone four games without a point prior to Friday. The 31-year-old winger is up to 15 goals, 40 points, 133 shots on net, 48 hits and a plus-4 rating over 59 appearances. He's currently on the top line and will likely stay there as long as both of Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) and Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) are sidelined.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Scores in Tuesday's loss
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Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers.
Nichushkin briefly tied the game with his third-period tally. The winger has two goals and an assist over his last four contests. For the season, he's up to 14 goals, 38 points, 122 shots on net, 44 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-6 rating over 54 appearances in a top-six role. Nichushkin should continue to see prime minutes while Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) and Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) are out on a week-to-week basis.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Nets late equalizer
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Nichushkin scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 5-4 shootout win over the Stars.
Nichushkin scored with 15 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. He ended a nine-game goal drought with the clutch tally, though he still picked up seven assists in that span. For the season, the 31-year-old winger is up to 13 goals, 37 points, 118 shots on net, 44 hits and a plus-5 rating over 52 appearances. Nichushkin is likely to continue seeing top-six minutes, though the Avalanche's addition of Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline gives them the potential to run three scoring lines.
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Puts up trio of assists
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Nichushkin registered three assists, two shots on goal, three hits and a plus-4 rating in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.
Nichushkin helped out on both of Artturi Lehkonen's goals as well as Josh Manson's game-winner. This was Nichushkin's first multi-point effort since his hat trick versus the Blues on Dec. 31. The 30-year-old winger has earned a goal and six helpers over his last six outings. He's at 34 points in 46 contests this season, matching his output from 43 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. He's added 107 shots on net, 41 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-7 rating in 2025-26.
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Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Pots goal in loss
Rotowire
Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Senators.
Nichushkin's goal brought the Avalanche within one early in the third period, but they couldn't tie the game. The 30-year-old winger hadn't scored in January prior to Wednesday, picking up just two assists and 16 shots on net over 10 outings. He's now at 12 goals, 29 points, 102 shots on net, 35 hits and a plus-3 rating over 42 contests.
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