NHL Buzz: MacKinnon in lineup for Avalanche against Coyotes

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon will return to the lineup against the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET; ALT-FS-A, NHL.TV).
The center missed the past three games because he was not feeling well as the result of a hit to the head.
"For a few days now I feel good," MacKinnon said. "Good for a few days, feel great, so I'm going to play tonight."
MacKinnon was scratched prior to a 3-2 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. He missed a 5-4 overtime loss to Anaheim on Saturday and a 3-2 loss to Arizona on Monday after he was injured in the third period of a 4-0 win at the San Jose Sharks on March 3 when forward Joachim Blichfeld hit MacKinnon's head with his shoulder. Blichfeld was assessed a match penalty and suspended for two games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for an illegal check.
MacKinnon has scored 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 19 games. -- Rick Sadowski

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Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner will practice with Henderson of the American Hockey League on a conditioning loan.
The Golden Knights goalie has missed the past 13 games with an upper-body injury; he last played Feb. 7.
Lehner is 3-1-1 with a 2.96 goals-against average and .890 save percentage in five games.
Marc-Andre Fleury has started 12 of the 13 games since Lehner has been out and is expected to start against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday (7 p.m., NBCSN). Fleury is 12-4-0 and leads the NHL in GAA (1.57), save percentage (.943) and shutouts (four) among goalies to play at least five games.
Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remains out with an upper-body injury. He did not play in a 2-0 loss to the Wild on Monday.
"Not a great sign that he returned home for evaluation," coach Peter DeBoer said. "I'm not concerned it's long, long term, but he's out for the foreseeable future." -- Danny Webster