DALLAS — The Colorado Avalanche will get a big boost in its quest to save its season Wednesday night.
Devon Toews, who missed Game 4 with an illness, will return to the lineup for Game 5 at American Airlines Center. The Avs are down 3-1 in the series, and face the first of three potential elimination games.
“He was pretty sick last game,” defense partner Cale Makar said before coach Jared Bednar confirmed Toews’ return. “(He) obviously provides a lot of stability back there for us with pairings, so it’d be good if we get him back.”
Without Toews and Valeri Nichushkin, who is suspended without pay for at least six months after being placed in Stage 3 of the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance Program for violating his Stage 2 treatment plan, the Avs had their worst game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Dallas won 5-1 and at one point had a 22-4 lead in shots on goal.
Toews has a goal and six points in eight games this postseason and is averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice time per contest.
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