Raanta to make 1st NHL start in nearly a year Saturday

Antti Raanta is on the verge of his long-awaited return to the crease.

The Arizona Coyotes goaltender will start Saturday's road game against the Colorado Avalanche, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed Friday, according to The Athletic's Craig Morgan.

Raanta was recalled last week after earning a 19-save shutout with Arizona's AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, while on a conditioning stint due to a minor injury he suffered in the preseason.

The 30-year-old last played in the NHL on Nov. 27, 2018, when he suffered an injury in a game against the Minnesota Wild. He was placed on injured reserve in December and missed the rest of the season.

Raanta posted a .906 save percentage across 12 contests in 2018-19. He authored a .930 mark over 47 games in 2017-18, his first campaign with the Coyotes.

Arizona acquired him in a draft-day trade with the New York Rangers in 2017.

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