Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche’s lone NHL All-Star in St. Louis last weekend, rejoined the team Friday morning eager to begin the final 33-game regular-season push.
“It’s awesome,” MacKinnon said about having more games than practices the rest of the way. “I love that, getting in the rhythm, just playing games, some back-to-backs. It’s going to fly by, too — two more months and we’re in the playoffs. So it’s a big stretch. We want home ice and we’re excited for that final push.”
MacKinnon had an excused absence Thursday when the Avs held their first practice in a nine-day span, which came after the All-Star break and the team’s mandatory bye week.