Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 in Denver on Wednesday night.

The wait for Valeri Nichushkin continues. Colorado's big Russian winger took part in most of practice on Friday before the team flew to Nashville, but with about five minutes left in the skate, he went to the locker room before the rest of his teammates.

Valeri Nichushkin returns to the Colorado Avalanche lineup Wednesday night for the first time in nearly two months after recovering from a lower-body injury. The Russian forward will try to spark a sputtering Avalanche offense that’s scored two goals in back-to-back losses since coming back from the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

The Avs have also missed other key players for chunks of this season, but Nichushkin’s presence has been a difference-maker. Colorado is 14-7 when Nichushkin plays and 19-17-2 when he doesn’t this season.

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The Colorado Avalanche (33-24-2) begin a crucial six-game homestand against the New Jersey Devils (32-21-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:38 p.m. MT. READ MORE: NHL Trade Deadline 2025: Desperate For Depth Scoring — Avalanche Trade Board 3.

The Colorado Avalanche have stumbled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, but they may get a key player back when they host the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

The wait for Valeri Nichushkin continues. Colorado's big Russian winger took part in most of practice on Friday before the team flew to Nashville, but with about five minutes left in the skate, he went to the locker room before the rest of his teammates.

Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Valeri Nichushkin for fantasy hockey. Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will be welcomed back

Valeri Nichushkin is going to return Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils. He’s been out since Dec. 31 with a lower-body injury. He’s expected to start on the second line and the second power-play unit.

It’s a years-long trend since he arrived in Denver and had a breakout season when the Avs won the Stanley Cup. Just in the years since the title, Colorado is 89-30-10 during the regular season when Nichushkin plays and 46-43-6 when he doesn’t.

Valeri Nichushkin returns to the Colorado Avalanche lineup Wednesday night for the first time in nearly two months after recovering from a lower-body injury.