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.

Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 in Denver on Wednesday night. Artturi Lehkonen, Casey Mittelstadt and Logan O'Connor also scored for Colorado,

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.

Colton scored his second goal of the game and 15th of the season with an empty-net tally at 19:52 of the third period to give the Avs a 5-2 lead. With the secondary assist on the goal, Blackwood picked up his first point with the Avalanche.

DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had two power-play goals and an added, Mackenzie Blackwood stopped ... before Colorado's goal eruption. Valeri Nichushkin returned to the Colorado lineup after ...

Mackenzie Blackwood loves playing against ... Drouin just missed the left post and Mittelstadt’s stick. This was Valeri Nichushkin’s first game back after missing the past 21 contests with ...

Valeri Nichushkin also scored, Oliver Kylington contributed two assists and Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 19 shots for Colorado. The Avalanche improved to 2-0 on their six-game homestand and pulled even with the Wild for third place in the Central Division, though Minnesota has a game in hand.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, is congratulated after scoring a goal by left wing Artturi Lehkonen, back right, and center Martin Necas in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP

Nathan MacKinnon had two power-play goals and an added, Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 shots against his former team and the Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 on Wednesday