Valeri Nichushkin makes his long-awaited return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup, rejoining the team after nearly two months away due to a lower-body injury. As they face the New Jersey Devils, the Avalanche aim to revitalize their offense, which has struggled to generate scoring since the conclusion of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Defensive standout Cale Makar emphasized Nichushkin's importance, stating that his presence will significantly boost the team's performance.

Coach Jared Bednar confirmed no restrictions for Nichushkin, who previously scored 11 goals in just 21 games. His ability to score in gritty areas, previously a hallmark of the injured Gabriel Landeskog, may help alleviate the Avalanche's recent scoring woes. Teammates have praised Nichushkin's physicality and skill, highlighting his contributions on special teams as critical to their success moving forward.