Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: Returning to lineup

Nichushkin has cleared the COVID-19 protocols and will play Saturday versus the Canadiens, Mike Chambers of The Denver Post reports.

Nichushkin missed three games while he was in the protocols. The 26-year-old will replaced Kiefer Sherwood in the lineup, and it's expected Nichushkin will play in his usual middle-six role. He has 17 points in 22 contests this season, but just one assist in his last four games.