The Colorado Avalanche will take on the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon in their biggest game of the season, and star forward Mikko Rantanen will definitely be on the ice.
Rantanen returned to practice Friday wearing his regular sweater, indicating he missed the past two games with a concussion but was cleared for possible contact.
Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin appeared on the front line, skating on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Valeri Nichushkin.
Avs practice line:
Drouin – MacKinnon – Lehkonen
Nichushkin – Mittelstadt – Rantanen
Paris, Wood, Colton, Duhaime (all white)
Cogliano – Trenin – KivirantaRantanen has been cleared for contact, and Bednar said the other day that contact would occur. Second line with a new look.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) April 12, 2024
Rantanen was hit a week ago against the Oilers, left the game immediately and did not return. Since then, he has missed games against the Stars and Wild, but appears ready to return for a showdown with the Jets.
Both Abs and Winnipeg have 104 points with three games remaining. Whoever wins at Ball Arena will take second place in the Central Division and likely have home ice advantage in the first-round showdown. Dallas has 109 points, making it very difficult for either team to win the district title.
Rantanen has been a big piece for Colorado this year and had another great season. His 102 points are second on the team behind Hart Trophy favorite MacKinnon's 137 points. Rantanen had 40 goals and 62 assists.
Forward Miles Wood, meanwhile, has been skating in practice and head coach Jared Bednar should provide an update on his availability. Wood also hasn't played since Friday, April 5 in Edmonton.
But with the playoffs approaching, it's great to see Mikko Rantanen back on the field with his teammates. The Avalanche need one final push to ensure they start the playoffs at home.
