Lehkonen, Byram provide Avs assistance

The Colorado Avalanche is about to get a muchneeded break, but reinforcements arrived just ahead of it.

Artturi Lehkonen and Bo Byram were cleared to return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals in the club’s penultimate game before the NHL’S Allstar break. Lehkonen had missed the past 35 games because of a neck injury, while Byram was sidelined for eight with a lower-body issue.

“It’s great. He’s a big part of our group and a really good player,” Avs forward Mikko Rantanen said of his fellow countryman Lehkonen. “He’s going to help us — 5-on-5, good penalty killer, good all-around player. He’s a big addition and we’re happy to have him back.”

Lehkonen was injured after a Nov. 7 collision with Seattle defenseman Jamie Oleksiak sent him tumbling head-first into the end boards. The Avs set his recovery timeline at 10 to 12 weeks, and Tuesday marked 11 weeks since the incident.

He’s been skating with the team for a while now, having shed a no-contact jersey, and was practicing with no restrictions more than a week ago.

“Honestly, I thought I was going to be fine, but I wasn’t,” Lehkonen said. “It is what it is. For sure it’s a scary injury. It was just at high speed and an accident. “It feels good. I’m excited to be back. It’s going to be fun.”

Lehkonen started on a line with Ryan Johansen and Andrew Cogliano against the Capitals. He was expected to also see time on both special teams units. He played on the top power-play unit before the injury, but will likely start out with the second group.

Avs coach Jared Bednar said the plan is to ease Lehkonen back into things, but that could change based on how he’s feeling and playing.

“He’s an elite checking forward that can help produce offense and is going to slide into our top nine and help with slotting guys where they are most able to have success. He’s a trusted guy on the defensive side who helps produce a lot on the offensive side.

“He does a lot for us.”