MacKinnon to return Sunday vs. Stars after 4-game absence
The Colorado Avalanche are getting Nathan MacKinnon back for Sunday's game against the Dallas Stars, head coach Jared Bednar said Saturday, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.
The superstar forward has missed Colorado's last four contests with a concussion and a facial fracture.
MacKinnon was hurt during a win over the Boston Bruins on Jan. 26. Bednar later said the center would miss the team's next three games.
The 26-year-old also had to forgo the All-Star Game, for which he was voted Central Division captain.
MacKinnon isn't scoring at his typical clip this season, but he ranks second among Avalanche skaters with 34 assists and fifth in team scoring with 43 points despite missing 14 of Colorado's 45 games.
The three-time Hart Trophy finalist leads all Avalanche forwards with 21:08 in average ice time in 2021-22.