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Ross Colton will return to the Avalanche’s lineup against the Detroit Red Wings after missing nearly a month and a half with a broken foot.
Colton suffered the injury on Oct. 28 and was given a 6-8 week timeline. His return is just ahead of schedule. He missed 17 games — the most in his NHL career due to injury. The 28-year-old has only been out six games in his last three seasons. He’s hoping it will be an easy transition back into the lineup.
“I haven’t really experienced anything like this,” Colton told Colorado Hockey Now’s Aarif Deen. “Maybe it takes a couple periods, maybe it takes a game or two. Just worry about playing my game, focus on what I can control out there. Play physical, play fast, bring that juice, little bit of jam the guys need. Just fill in all positions any way I can help.”
Avalanche Game 28 at Detroit Red Wings, Ross Colton Returns! Lines, Notes, & How to Watch
While the Robbinsville, New Jersey native sounds like he’s making lunch with the team rather than getting back into the top six, his presence has truly been missed. He notched nine points in 10 games with four power-play goals (just one behind the team leader, Mikko Rantanen).
Colton held down the third-line center position last season but has played in various positions and lines this season. He was successful on the top line with Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon on the left wing and is expected to stay on the wing.
“Wherever they need me — if they need me to play center one game I’ll play center. Even back when I started the season with guys in and out of the lineup, I was playing one shift center then the next shift I was back on the wing with different guys. Probably start on the wing tonight, and kind of go from there. As the season goes on, progresses, I don’t like to look too much into that, fill in wherever they need me to be.”
Colton was in a second power-play unit jersey in morning skate and head coach Jared Bednar said he will start with Casey Mittelstadt and Valeri Nichushkin on the second line Saturday night.
The Avalanche were 9-8-0 without Colton and have lost three of their last four games. Mittelstadt has been in a slump the last 10 games so Colton’s return could spark something for him and the team.