MacKinnon returns to Game 7 after suffering shoulder injury

The Colorado Avalanche can breathe a sigh of relief.

Nathan MacKinnon came back after being forced to depart early in Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

The Colorado Avalanche star left while holding his right shoulder after going into the boards on his own less than two minutes into the contest.

Here's the injury to Nathan MacKinnon. #SJSharks #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NG6FSqGl1E

- Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) May 9, 2019

MacKinnon exited for the dressing room after briefly remaining on the bench. The 23-year-old center then returned before the first intermission.

After the game, MacKinnon said he received a shot "of something" and will need some rehab, while head coach Jared Bednar said it was going to take "a stretcher" to keep him out of the rest of the game, according to The Denver Post's Mike Chambers.

He's been enjoying a productive postseason, notching six goals and 13 points over Colorado's previous 11 games.

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