Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Returning in backup role
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Annunen (illness) will back up Alexandar Georgiev on Friday for Game 3 versus Winnipeg, per Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette.
Annunen missed the first two games of the series with an illness, but he's now feeling well enough to sit on the bench as Georgiev's backup Friday. Annunen went 8-4-1 with a 2.25 GAA and a .928 save percentage in 14 regular-season appearances.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Unavailable against Jets
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Annunen (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Annunen probably had a decent chance to start Game 2, but his continued illness will see him once again missing from the bench. In the meantime, Ivan Prosvetov will serve as the No. 2 option behind Alexandar Georgiev against the Jets on Tuesday. If Georgiev struggles again, after giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, Annunen could challenge for the starting gig, provided he's healthy enough to play in Game 3 on Friday.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Still battling illness
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Annunen (illness) was not at practice Monday, John Lu of TSN reports, raising doubts regarding his availability against Winnipeg for Game 2 on Tuesday.
If Annunen were 100 percent, there is certainly a chance he would be between the pipes for Game 2 after starter Alexandar Georgiev gave up seven goals on 23 shots versus the Jets on Sunday. If Annunen can't at least serve as the backup Tuesday, look for Arvid Holm to dress as the No. 2 option behind Georgiev.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Not available Sunday
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Annunen (illness) will not dress Sunday against the Jets, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Arvid Holm will replace Annunen as Alexandar Georgiev's backup. Annunen went 8-4-1 with a 2.25 GAA and a .928 save percentage during the regular season. An update on his status should be available before Game 2 against Winnipeg on Tuesday.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Earns win in finale
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Annunen stopped 25 of 26 shots in Thursday's 5-1 victory over Edmonton.
It was another strong effort from Annunen, who held the Oilers to a lone power-play marker in the first period en route to a win in the regular-season finale. The 24-year-old netminder went 4-2-0 in his final seven games, posting a .926 save percentage. He'll finish the year 8-4-1 with an impressive .928 save percentage and 2.25 GAA. While Alexandar Georgiev figures to be Colorado's primary starter in the playoffs, Annunen has proven to be a more than capable backup option.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Needed in relief Saturday
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Annunen stopped eight of 11 shots after replacing Alexandar Georgiev late in the first period of Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Jets.
The 24-year-old backup netminder didn't have much more success than Georgiev did as the Avs sleepwalked their way through the afternoon contest. Annunen has been playing better that Colorado's starter of late, though, going 4-2-0 in seven outings over the last month with a 2.36 GAA and .921 save percentage. Coach Jared Bednar could have a tough decision to make in the crease when the playoffs begin.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Stops 44 in win
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Annunen stopped 44 of 46 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Wild.
Annunen was stellar against a barrage of Minnesota shots Thursday, allowing just a pair of goals in a winning effort. It was the third straight appearance for the 24-year-old netminder -- he's gone 6-2-0 with an excellent .950 save percentage in his last eight outings. Overall, Annunen's 7-4-1 on the season with a .931 save percentage and 2.24 GAA while backing up Alexandar Georgiev. Georgiev figures to be back in net Friday in the second half of a back-to-back versus Edmonton.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Handed loss Monday
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Annunen gave up three goals on 24 shots in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.
Annunen was able to stop the first 12 shots of the contest but then he let in three consecutive markers in the second frame that wound up to be too much for the Avalanche. Although it was a poor showing for Annunen, he had been strong recently in a backup role as he had won four out of his previous five games. Fantasy managers should expect to see No. 1 netminder Alexander Georgiev between the pipes when Colorado face the Wild on Thursday in the first half of a back-to-back that also includes Friday's game in Edmonton.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Starting in Columbus
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Annunen will defend the road net Monday versus the Blue Jackets, according to Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
Annunen stopped all 22 shots he faced in Saturday's 7-4 win over Nashville after Alexandar Georgiev was pulled. The 24-year-old Annunen has a 5-1-0 record with a .959 save percentage and two shutouts across his past six appearances. Columbus ranks 25th in the league this campaign with 2.84 goals per contest.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Falls to Montreal
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Annunen allowed two goals on 27 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Canadiens.
Fresh off signing a two-year extension with the Avs, Annunen turned in a solid performance Tuesday, holding the Canadiens to just a pair of first-period tallies. However, Colorado could only muster a single goal of support on the other end, sticking Annunen with his first loss in over a month -- he'd gone 4-0-0 with a .959 save percentage in his previous four starts. The 24-year-old Annunen has been sharp behind Alexandar Georgiev this season -- he's now 5-3-1 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA on the campaign.
Annunen signed a two-year contract extension with Colorado on Tuesday.
Annunen has performed well as Alexandar Georgiev's backup this season. The 24-year-old Annunen has a 5-2-1 record with a 2.38 GAA and a .926 save percentage over eight NHL outings in 2023-24. His new contract is a one-way agreement, which suggests he could occupy the No. 2 role next campaign. Annunen will start Tuesday's home matchup against the Canadiens.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Taking on Montreal
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Annunen is slated to start versus the Canadiens at home Tuesday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.
Annunen has been outstanding in the month of March, stringing together three straight wins while posting an impressive 1.67 GAA and .948 save percentage. He'll try to extend his personal winning streak to five games in a favorable home matchup with a Montreal team that's 13-15-8 on the road this year.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Solid in Tuesday's win
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Annunen allowed two goals on 27 shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Flames.
Annunen won his third straight game, with his last two victories having been shutouts. The 24-year-old gave up both goals in a span of 3:22 in the first period before the Avalanche took over in the second. Annunen is up to 4-2-1 with a 2.29 GAA and a .929 save percentage over seven starts this season. Alexandar Georgiev will start Wednesday in Vancouver and figures to see a majority of the playing time down the stretch as the Avalanche jockey for positioning in the Central Division.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Between pipes Tuesday
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Annunen will guard the cage against the Flames on the road Tuesday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.
Annunen hasn't suffered a regulation defeat in his last three outings, though he has logged only six NHL games this season. During that trio of contests, the 24-year-old netminder is 2-0-1 with a 0.65 GAA and a .978 save percentage. Despite rumors of a goalie acquisition, the Avs stuck with Annunen as their No. 2 option behind Alexandar Georgiev.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Under the weather
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Annunen is dealing with an illness ahead of Friday's game versus Minnesota, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
If Annunen is unable to dress against the Wild, the Avalanche will presumably need to promote a netminder from the minors to serve as Alexandar Georgiev's backup Friday. Confirmation on Annunen's status versus Minnesota may not surface until Colorado takes the ice for pregame warmups.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Starting in Chicago
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Annunen will protect the road net in Chicago on Thursday, according to Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
Annunen will get his fifth start of the season. He has faced at least 30 shots in each of his four previous starts. He was at his best a week ago, making 28 saves in a 2-1 loss in Detroit. He will face the Blackhawks, who are averaging 26.4 shots on goal, 31st in the NHL.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Tough loss in Detroit
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Annunen turned aside 28 shots in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Red Wings.
The 23-year-old netminder took a shutout into the third period, but Dylan Larkin beat him from the low slot on a Detroit power play midway through the final frame before Patrick Kane ripped home the OT winner. It was Annunen's best effort in four starts since being recalled from AHL Colorado in mid-January, but his .898 save percentage with the Avs represents no threat to Alexandar Georgiev's playing time.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: In goal Thursday
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Annunen will protect the road goal versus the Red Wings on Thursday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.
Annunen will get his first start in a week. He's allowed four goals in each of his three NHL appearances this season, going 1-2-0. The 23-year-old is a risky fantasy play since the Red Wings have scored 20 goals over their last six games despite going just 3-2-1 in that span.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Gives up four in loss
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Annunen made 33 saves in a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday. He allowed four goals.
Annunen put up a decent effort Thursday, all things considered. Nikita Kucherov was his kryptonite -- the league's top scorer put up two goals and set up another. But Annunen has allowed four goals in each of his two starts since his call-up (both losses) and needs to tighten things up a bit to truly give the Avs a solid option as their backup.
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Avalanche's Justus Annunen: Taking on Tampa Bay
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Annunen is slated to start on the road versus the Lightning on Thursday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.
Annunen hasn't played since Feb. 6, when he surrendered four goals on 30 shots en route to a 5-3 loss to New Jersey. He'll try to earn his second win of the season in a rough road matchup with a Tampa Bay team that's 17-5-3 at home this year.
