Makar back in Avs' lineup after 5-game injury absence

The Colorado Avalanche are getting a key reinforcement on Wednesday in the form of a legitimate Calder Trophy candidate.

Defenseman Cale Makar will play against the New York Rangers after missing the last five games with an upper-body injury, he told reporters.

Makar's return will be a welcomed addition for the Avs, who lost star forward Nathan MacKinnon to a lower-body injury on Monday that's expected to cost him one-to-two weeks. The club is also missing Nazem Kadri, Mikko Rantanen, Matt Calvert, Andre Burakovsky, and Philipp Grubauer.

The 21-year-old Makar has recorded 47 points in 56 games during his rookie campaign. He was chosen fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2017 draft.