MacKinnon could return to Avalanche after next game

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon took another step toward returning to the lineup when he participated in an optional practice Thursday, wearing a regular jersey rather than the noncontact jersey he wore in previous practices this week.
MacKinnon, 22, who leads the Avalanche with 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists) in 49 games, could return against the Edmonton Oilers at Pepsi Center on Sunday, coach Jared Bednar said.

MacKinnon wasn't available after practice and did not travel with the Avalanche for their game at the Winnipeg Jets on Friday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, ALT, NHL.TV). He has missed seven games since sustaining an upper-body injury Jan. 30 in a collision with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler.
"He's working his way back to the lineup," Bednar said. "He's questionable for Sunday; we'll know more on Saturday."
The Avalanche (31-21-4) have gone 4-3-0 without MacKinnon and are two points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"Can't wait to get him back," Bednar said. "We need him, he's getting close, I think."

MacKinnon was second among NHL scorers when he was injured.
"He's one of the best players in the game, especially this year," Bednar said. "I mean, you look at what he's done for our team. It's a big hole and we've missed him. We've managed to tread water here and carve out some points without him.
"Certainly, adding him back into our lineup changes things significantly for us, so we're looking forward to when that day comes."
Right wing Blake Comeau, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, also practiced Thursday and is expected to play Friday.
"It looks like he is ready to go," Bednar said.