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DENVER — Valeri Nichushkin returns to the Colorado Avalanche lineup Wednesday night for the first time in nearly two months after recovering from a lower-body injury. The Russian forward will try to spark a sputtering Avalanche offense that's scored two goals in back-to-back losses since coming back from the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The game against the New Jersey Devils will be Nichushkin's first since Dec. 31. The 29-year-old Nichushkin had 11 goals and six assists in 21 games before getting hurt. He missed the opening 17 games after being suspended last May and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
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FILE - Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) and Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Dec. 22, 2024, in Denver. - AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File
