Kiviranta (lower body) will not be an option against the Jets in Game 5 on Tuesday, per NHL.com.
Kiviranta did make the trip with the team to Winnipeg, so he appears to be getting close to returning. In his three postseason contests, the 28-year-old winger has registered one assist, three shots and nine hits while averaging 10:14 of ice time. Even once given the all-clear, Kiviranta is far from a lock for the lineup but should be in the mix for a bottom-six role.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Traveling with team
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Kiviranta (lower body) will make the trip to Winnipeg ahead of Tuesday's Game 5 versus the Jets, Aarif Deen of Mile High Sports reports.
Kiviranta missed Sunday's Game 4 win over the Jets due to a lower-body issue, but it appears he could be available for Game 5. The 28-year-old winger has picked up one helper and a plus-2 rating through three playoff games this year.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Dealing with minor injury
Rotowire
Kiviranta missed Sunday's Game 4 win over Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Kiviranta should be considered questionable for Game 5 on Tuesday. He has one assist while averaging 10:14 of ice time through three appearances this series.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Absent from warmups
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Kiviranta (undisclosed) did not take the ice for warmups and is out Sunday for Game 4 against Winnipeg, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Kiviranta left Friday's game multiple times with the injury. While he was able to return, the winger will ultimately be held out Sunday in Game 4. The 28-year-old Kiviranta had an assist through three games in the series after tallying three goals and nine points in 56 regular-season contests. Newly recalled Nikolai Kovalenko could make his NHL debut while Kiviranta is sidelined.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Chips in with helper
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Kiviranta posted an assist and two hits in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Jets in Game 1.
Kiviranta played just four of the Avalanche's last 15 regular-season games, and he went seven contests without a point prior to Sunday. The 28-year-old is likely to occupy a bottom-six role during the playoffs. He had nine points, 78 hits and 48 shots on net over 56 regular-season appearances.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Headed for healthy scratch
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Kiviranta (illness) is expected to be a healthy scratch against Columbus on Monday, per NHL.com.
Kiviranta had missed two games due to illness but wasn't playing regularly prior to getting sick. The 28-year-old winger's last outing came March 13 against Vancouver -- a game in which he logged 13:01 of ice time while notching one shot on goal, one hit and two PIM. Without a clear path to more minutes, Kiviranta is a non-factor in fantasy down the stretch.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Unavailable against Predators
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Kiviranta (illness) won't be in the lineup Saturday against Nashville, according to Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.
Kiviranta will sit out for the second straight contest. He was a healthy scratch for five consecutive games before getting sick, so he may not return to the lineup once he's available. Kiviranta has nine points, 47 shots on goal and 71 hits in 52 appearances this campaign.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Under the weather
Rotowire
Kiviranta missed practice Wednesday due to an illness ahead of Thursday's clash with the Rangers, Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com reports.
Kiviranta hasn't played for the Avs since March 13 versus Vancouver, a stretch of five games, so his illness is unlikely to impact the lineup. The fact the winger has notched just one goal in his last 39 appearances while adding just three helpers means few fantasy players will notice his absence if he's unable to go.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Posts assist in win
Rotowire
Kiviranta had an assist, two shots on net and one block in Wednesday's 7-2 win over Detroit.
Kiviranta gained control of the puck behind the net and fed Jean-Luc Foudy, who scored his first NHL goal. The assist snapped a 16-game point drought for Kiviranta, who has nine points through 49 games. Colorado will add Casey Mittelstadt to the lineup as early as Friday versus Minnesota, while Valeri Nichushkin (personal) and Logan O'Connor (lower body) could be ready to return for that contest, too. That potential influx of three skaters could impact Kiviranta's spot in the lineup.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Scores in Tuesday's win
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Kiviranta scored a goal and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Stars.
The Stars were on the board one minute into the game, but Kiviranta provided a quick response. The goal snapped a 12-game point drought for the 27-year-old winger, who hadn't scored since Dec. 7. He's at three tallies, eight points, 41 shots on net, 63 hits and a minus-1 rating through 45 appearances. Despite the lack of offense, Kiviranta has seen steady fourth-line minutes, though he may be at risk of losing his place once Valeri Nichushkin (personal) is cleared to play by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Logs assist in win
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Kiviranta had an assist, two shots, one block and one hit over 12:03 of ice time in Saturday's 7-4 win over Philadelphia.
As the third line's shift was ending, Kiviranta picked up the secondary assist on a tally by Nathan MacKinnon, who had just come off the bench to replace Ryan Johansen. Other than that, it was not a good day for the line, which was on ice for three of the Flyers' four goals. Kiviranta's spot on the active roster could be in jeopardy when Artturi Lehkonen (neck) returns, which could occur Wednesday against the Capitals.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Inactive Wednesday
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Kiviranta was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's game against the Sabres.
Kiviranta, who missed Monday's game against Calgary due to illness, practiced Tuesday and was part of Wednesday's morning skate, but he ceded ice time on the fourth line to Ben Meyers versus Buffalo. Colorado coach Jared Bednar told Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now that Kiviranta is back and feeling better, but the coach decided to roll with the lineup that produced an exciting comeback win over the Flames on Monday.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Not playing Monday
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Kiviranta (illness) will not suit up Monday against the Flames, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.
Kiviranta will miss his first game since joining the Avalanche in November. He's notched two goals and five points through 14 games. Fredrik Olofsson will likely jump back in the lineup during Kiviranta's absence.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Dealing with illness
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Kiviranta (illness) is questionable to play Monday against Calgary, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.
Kiviranta's availability for Monday's matchup versus Calgary may not be determined until closer to puck drop. If he can't play. Fredrik Olofsson might draw back into the lineup. Kiviranta has chipped in two goals, five points, 16 shots on net, 12 blocked shots and 21 hits in 14 outings this campaign.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Finishes in loss
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Kiviranta scored a goal on one shot and added one hit over 7:44 of ice time in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Jets.
Kiviranta found himself on ice with Nathan MacKinnon, who bulled his way into the Winnipeg zone and fed the bottom-six forward for the Avalanche's second goal. It wasn't immediately ruled a score, but a video review confirmed it. The tally was Kiviranta's second and snapped a 10-game drought. Under optimal circumstances -- all forwards are healthy and Colorado isn't double-shifting its stars while playing from behind -- Kiviranta isn't on the ice with offensive talent like MacKinnon.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Earns helper against former team
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Kiviranta notched an assist, two hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Stars.
Kiviranta is up to four points through three games with the Avalanche. He was able to chip in against his former team Saturday, setting up Andrew Cogliano's insurance tally in the third period. Kiviranta has also collected five shots on net, four hits and a plus-4 rating. He's quickly earned some job stability in a fourth-line role, though his current scoring pace is not something the 27-year-old should be expected to maintain in the long run.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Secures one-year deal
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Kiviranta signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche on Sunday.
Kiviranta joined Colorado on a tryout agreement this fall but was eventually released and joined AHL Colorado. He has two goals and six points in 10 AHL contests this season. Last year, the 27-year-old scored eight goals in 70 games with the Stars.
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Joel Kiviranta: Released by Colorado
Rotowire
Kiviranta was released from the Avalanche's camp Thursday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Kiviranta, who was on a professional tryout, has been invited to join camp for AHL Colorado. As of Thursday, Kiviranta was still deciding what to do next.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Agrees to professional tryout
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Kiviranta signed a professional tryout agreement with the Avalanche on Monday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Kiviranta recorded eight goals and one assist in 70 games with Dallas last season. He also added five points in 15 postseason contests. The 27-year-old winger will compete for a bottom-line role in Colorado, but even if he makes the roster, he'll be used in limited fashion.
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Stars' Joel Kiviranta: Deflects in goal
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Kiviranta scored a goal on two shots and added six hits in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Kraken in Game 6.
Kiviranta got a piece of a Thomas Harley shot, which then ricocheted in at a tight angle at 8:58 of the third period. The goal was Kiviranta's first this postseason to go with three assists, four shots on net and 21 hits through eight appearances. His spot in the lineup isn't guaranteed -- the Stars could opt to bring Luke Glendening back in for Monday's Game 7.
