Avalanche top-line center Nathan MacKinnon will return from a one-game injury absence and play against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night at Ball Arena.
MacKinnon, who was scratched from Wednesday’s 5-2 victory at Detroit for precautionary reasons stemming from a minor lower-body injury, was cleared after Friday’s morning skate, coach Jared Bednar said.
Jared Bednar on Nathan MacKinnon’s return and Bo Byram’s third skate in four days (he skated before team) vs tonight
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
Pavel Francouz, who earned the win in Detroit to cap a successful 3-1 road trip, will again start in net as Colorado begins a consecutive-night stretch that concludes Saturday in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.
Avs rookie defenseman Bo Byram, the first D-man selected in the 2019 draft (fourth overall), skated on his own before the full-team morning skate on Friday. That’s the 20-year-old’s third skate in four days since attempting his third comeback from multiple concussions and setbacks. Byram hasn’t played since Jan. 10.
“It’s awesome seeing him around the rink, definitely missed seeing him around,” Avs winger Logan O’Connor said of Byram. “Coming home from the road trip and seeing him out there was definitely awesome to see. We’re all happy to have him around.”
Avalanche Journal: Nazem Kadri sympathizes with Brad Marchand’s “excessive” six-game suspension by
— Denver Post Sports (@DPostSports)
