The Colorado Avalanche, battling to regain their footing post the 4 Nations Face-Off break, could potentially welcome back their star winger, Valeri Nichushkin, in their forthcoming game against the New Jersey Devils. The Avalanche’s encounter with the Devils, scheduled for Wednesday, might witness Nichushkin’s much-anticipated return, as indicated by his participation in the team’s Tuesday practice.
However, Avalanche’s coach, Jared Bednar, refrained from confirming Nichushkin’s return explicitly but did acknowledge his potential inclusion. Bednar, in his post-practice comments, noted, “He is a possibility for (Wednesday).” He further affirmed the star player’s value to the team, stating, “He’s one of the top players in the league, so getting him back — when we get him back — will be helpful.”
Nichushkin’s absence has been a stumbling block for the Avalanche this season. The skilled player was unavailable until mid-November due to a suspension, missing the team’s inaugural 17 games. Upon his return, Nichushkin showcased his prowess by scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in a span of 21 games. However, a lower-body injury sidelined him again after the December 31 game.
The Avalanche’s offensive strategy has been significantly impacted by Nichushkin’s absence, particularly in the two games since the break. Their scoring prowess dwindled, managing just one goal each in their losses against Nashville and St. Louis, thereby complicating their bid to rise above the wild-card chaos in the Western Conference.
Despite missing 38 games this season, Nichushkin’s tally of 11 goals places him fifth among the current team members. The Avalanche’s scoring chart is led by the reigning Most Valuable Player, Nathan MacKinnon, who boasts 87 points, thanks to his 21 goals and a league-leading 66 assists. Other noteworthy contributors include Cale Makar, who tops all NHL defensemen in goals and points, Martin Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen.
The upcoming game against the Devils will mark the Avalanche’s first home game since February 2 and will initiate a six-game, 12-day homestand. They will be facing a Devils team that is fresh from a 5-0 triumph over Nashville.
The Devils have displayed a pattern of fluctuating performance. They have not experienced consecutive wins or losses since January’s end and currently occupy the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. The team’s key players include Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, both of whom participated in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, representing the United States and Sweden respectively.
Devils’ Nico Hischier is the only other player besides Hughes and Bratt to have scored over 20 goals this season. Hughes opted out of Tuesday’s practice after participating in all four games for the United States in the tournament, seizing the opportunity to rest, given the seven-day interval surrounding the Wednesday game. His performance in the tournament drew praise from Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who declared, “He was unreal.”