Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon avoided serious injury. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon set to return Thursday vs. Sharks

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/31/22

The Colorado Avalanche got some surprisingly good news on Thursday morning. Head coach Jared Bednar revealed star center Nathan MacKinnon is returning to the lineup Thursday after just a one-game injury absence.

Jared Bednar on his weekly Altitude radio hit: Nathan MacKinnon is scheduled to play tonight. #Avs
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) March 31, 2022

It was reported on Tuesday that the three-time Hart Trophy finalist wouldn't play that night against the Calgary Flames and was out indefinitely with his upper-body injury. Furthermore, Bednar said that day that MacKinnon was headed back to Denver for evaluations, and there was a "high" level of concern regarding the ailment.

The coach also said "it's possible" that the injury was sustained during MacKinnon's fight with Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. The 2013 first overall draft pick is third on the Avalanche in assists (48), fourth in points (70) and fifth in goals (22) despite missing 16 games this season.

Colorado currently has the best record in the NHL at 47-14-6 (100 points).

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