Game day: Colorado Avalanche at Maple Leafs

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FACEOFF: 7 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

NEED TO KNOW

Kadri’s return: Nazem Kadri will play in Toronto for the first time since the Leafs traded him in the summer in a multi-player deal that saw Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot come the other way. Kadri had two assists for Colorado in a 5-3 loss to the Leafs in Denver on Nov 23. The Avalanche flew to Toronto on Tuesday, but did not practise. Kadri left Monday’s practice early without speaking to reporters. He had been highsticked by a teammate during a drill and needed medical attention.

Injury bug: The Avalanche have reeled off eight wins in 11 games while leading the league with 3.73 goals a game, all while suffering multiple injuries to key players. And now those players are coming back. Mikko Rantanen returned from a 16-game absence on Saturday with a four-point night in a 7-3 win over the Blackhawks. And Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog skated in a red non-contact sweater on Monday and might be cleared to play in Wednesday’s game. Landeskog has missed 15 games with an injury to his right leg. Forward Matt Calvert, who has missed six games with a concussion, participated in a full-team practice Monday.

Still out: Forward Andre Burakovsky and defenceman Erik

Johnson both have upper-body injuries and did not practise Monday, along with forward Colin Wilson (lower body). “I’ve been a part of injuries in the past with Columbus, similar to this — (but) I don’t think it was this crazy, especially a lot of our top guys being out,” Calvert told the Denver Post. “But they’ve done a great job. How many call-ups? Our bottom six is loaded with Colorado Eagles and they’ve done a hell of a job, and then the top guys have stepped up even more. It’s a new line combination every day. I was listening to Naz this morning — he’s had a new linemate every game.”

UP NEXT

Saturday at St. Louis, 7 p.m.