Defenseman Erik Johnson, out since Dec. 3 after suffering a broken fibula, and winger Rene Bourque, who hasn’t played since suffering a head injury on Feb. 1, both said after the Avalanche’s Friday practice that they plan to return to the lineup Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres at the Pepsi Center.
Johnson had laid out that timetable earlier in the week when he returned to full-contact work in practice, but it was contingent on avoiding setbacks as he skated both in Nashville Thursday and at Family Sports Center Friday.
“I haven’t talked to the coach yet, but if it’s up to me, I’m in,” Johnson said shortly before coach Jared Bednar confirmed his veteran defenseman would play against the Sabres.