MacKinnon returns vs. Leafs after missing 11 games due to injury

The injury-riddled Colorado Avalanche have their best forward back.

Colorado activated Nathan MacKinnon off injured reserve, the club announced Saturday. The two-time Hart Trophy runner-up missed 11 games with what the team called an upper-body ailment. He was hurt during a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 5.

He played over 22 minutes and was held without a point in the Avalanche's 6-2 loss to Toronto.

MacKinnon was off to a strong start before getting hurt, posting eight goals and 26 assists in 23 games. The Avalanche went 6-3-2 in the 27-year-old superstar's absence.

Colorado is still playing without captain Gabriel Landeskog, key winger Valeri Nichushkin, defensemen Josh Manson and Bo Byram, backup goaltender Pavel Francouz, and veteran forward Darren Helm due to injuries.

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