Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is set to return from a suspected hand injury in action Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks.
Coach Jared Bednar announced the move on his radio show Thursday morning.
MacKinnon, whose absence was being termed an upper-body injury by the club, fought Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba on the weekend.
Though non-committal in his assessment, Bednar said Tuesday the injury "possibly could be stemming from the fight" and that the team's concern over it was "high."
MacKinnon, 26, is fourth in team scoring with 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points in 51 games. The product of Cole Harbour, N.S., has missed 15 games this season for the high-flying Avalanche, recently being sidelined for three games and missing the All-Star Game with a broken nose and a concussion.
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