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Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson returns to action

Evan Semon, The Denver Post)

DALLAS — As expected, defenseman Erik Johnson returned to the Avalanche lineup Saturday night against the Stars after missing nine games with a lower body injury.

After the demotion of Nikita Zadorov to San Antonio, Johnson stepped back into the top pairing at even strength with Francois Beauchemin.

Also, defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk was in the lineup after five consecutive games as a healthy scratch.

Defensemen Zach Redmond and Nate Guenin and center Chris Wagner were the scratches.

Winger Blake Comeau, who missed Friday's game because his wife, Lacey, gave birth to a daughter, was back on the line with Gabe Landeskog and Carl Soderberg.