Avalanche’s Nichushkin to return against Ducks after getting involved in car accident
Some positive news after a concerning scene a couple of days ago.
When speaking to the media, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar announced that forward Valeri Nichushkin will return to the lineup on Wednesday night, when the Avalanche host the Anaheim Ducks.
Jared Bednar says “he is going to go tonight,” when asked about Val Nichushkin on @AltitudeSR. #GoAvsGo | @milehighhockey
The update comes just a couple of days after Nichushkin was a surprise scratch from Monday afternoon’s game against the Washington Capitals. Following the team’s 5-2 win over Alex Ovechkin and company, it was revealed that Nichushkin had been in a car accident on his way to the arena and suffered minor injuries.
It’s positive to see the Russian winger back after a short absence. He already missed eight games earlier this year due to a lower-body injury. It has been part of a rough career for Nichushkin. Ever since he returned from the KHL in 2018, injuries and off-ice issues have prevented him from playing a full season.
Last year, he missed the first 17 games while completing treatment in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Then, a lower-body injury knocked him out for another 21 games, as Nichushkin was limited to just 43 games. Yet, he was still productive, scoring 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points, adding four points in the Avs’ first-round series against the Dallas Stars.
In 38 appearances this season, the 30-year-old has notched 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, sitting sixth on the team in scoring.
Nichushkin hopes to help the Avalanche start stringing wins together. The win on Monday over Washington snapped a short two-game losing streak for Colorado, which had lost to both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Nashville Predators last week.
Yet, the Avalanche (34-5-8) is still the best team in the league, sitting 10 points ahead of the Stars for first in the Central Division.