Avalanche get Colton back after 17-game injury absence

The Colorado Avalanche got a key contributor back ahead of schedule.

Ross Colton was in the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Colton had missed the previous 17 contests - about five-and-a-half weeks - with a broken foot. His original timetable was six-to-eight weeks.

The 28-year-old was on an absolute tear before he got injured: He was tied for second in the NHL and led Colorado with eight goals in 10 games when he was hurt blocking a shot in a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 28.

Colton was skating on the Avalanche's top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen before the injury, and it may not be long before the trio is reunited.

Colorado lost four of its last six games entering Saturday's tilt. The Avalanche came into the meeting with the Red Wings sitting fourth in the Central Division at 14-13-0.