Valeri Nichushkin makes his anticipated return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup after a two-month absence due to a lower-body injury. His presence is expected to ignite a struggling Avalanche offense that has only managed two goals in their last two games since returning from the break. With Nichushkin’s record of 11 goals and six assists in 21 games prior to his injury, the team is hopeful for an offensive resurgence against the New Jersey Devils. Notably, he will participate in special teams, bringing much-needed depth.

Defenseman Cale Makar emphasized Nichushkin's importance, stating, 'You can’t underestimate how much he means to this team.' With the Avalanche lacking in scoring grit since losing captain Gabriel Landeskog to injury, Nichushkin's return is viewed as a critical boost. Teammates praised his physicality, indicating that his ability to score and play in front of the net could be the key to their offensive turnaround.

The Colorado Avalanche are poised for a significant boost with Valeri Nichushkin returning to the lineup after a long absence due to injury and a suspension. His presence is expected to strengthen both the second line and the power-play unit, where his size and skill will be invaluable. This season, the Avs have demonstrated a strong correlation between Nichushkin's presence and their performance, holding a record of 14-7 when he plays compared to 19-17-2 without him.

Despite the challenges posed by various injuries, Nichushkin's return is seen as a pivotal moment for the Avalanche. Teammates like Jonathan Drouin have emphasized his impact on special teams and even-strength play, highlighting his dual-threat capability. As the Avalanche navigate the rest of the season, maintaining Nichushkin's health will be critical to their playoff aspirations.

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.

The Colorado Avalanche are in a precarious position as the March 7 trade deadline approaches, struggling with consistency and goal production. With a 9-9-2 record in their last 20 games and averaging just 2.6 goals per game, they find themselves near the bottom of the league in scoring. Coach Jared Bednar has highlighted that secondary scoring is needed, particularly as Nathan MacKinnon continues to be a crucial player on the ice.

Valeri Nichushkin's potential return could provide a much-needed boost, as he practiced with key players ahead of a game against the New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, Casey Mittelstadt's performance has dipped significantly, and other forwards like Joel Kiviranta and Ross Colton have also been underperforming. The Avalanche’s depth has been called into question, with Bednar emphasizing the need for contributions from all lines if they hope to improve before the playoffs.