Sens' Duchene to return Friday vs. Devils

Ottawa Senators forward Matt Duchene will make his return Friday against the New Jersey Devils, the team announced.

Duchene missed the Senators' last six games after leaving their Dec. 6 tilt against the Montreal Canadiens with a groin injury.

At the time of his injury, he was leading the Sens with 34 points in 29 games. He is still on pace to pass his career high of 70 points from the 2012-13 season with the Colorado Avalanche.

In Duchene's absence, the Senators went 3-2-1 and currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with 34 points.