Avalanche Get Huge Boost With Return Of Star

The Colorado Avalanche get a big boost into their lineup from the return of their star, Nathan MacKinnon, after last playing in a game December 5. The team has gone 6-3-2 in his absence, but need him in their lineup regardless considering Valeri Nichushkin has now been injured again.

Nathan MacKinnon has been activated off injured reserve.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 31, 2022

MacKinnon has eight goals and 34 points in 23 games this season and is the top centre for the team. They haven't been their dominant selves this season due to all of the injuries. But hopefully with MacKinnon returning, it starts a trend of the team getting healthy.

He ranks third in scoring since the start of the 2017-18 season with 476 points in 361 games. The Avalanche have been having trouble finding the right fit for centermen this season, so with MacKinnon back, that's one less thing to worry about.

The Avalanche take a two-game losing streak into their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs who are coming off of a bad loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Avalanche sit at 41 points in 34 games and have the opportunity to move into third in the division tonight. They also have some games in hand on the teams ahead of them.

MacKinnon will slot back in on the top line with Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen.