Nieto looking to pick up where he left off in return to action

Injuries are always part of the story of a team’s season. Luckily for the Avalanche, they haven’t been a huge part of the problem this season until the very end. While Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen continue to nurse ailments, Matt Nieto is making his return to the lineup tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Nieto broke a bone in his foot blocking a shot February 22 at Chicago and was thought to be done for the regular season. His original timeline had him set to be out six to eight weeks but this is just the fifth week since the injury.

“That was the tough part,” Nieto said. “Hearing it could be a couple days, getting a few more tests done and then it was 6-8 weeks. That was tough news for sure. I’m feeling healthy for now and I’m ready to step in.”

His accelerated return comes at a great time for the Avalanche as they are heading into the final six games of the season still down two of their top three forwards. The 11-forward lineup utilized recently by head coach Jared Bednar is out the window with Nieto’s return, which should help alleviate some of the pressure on the top remaining forwards. Colorado woke up in a playoff spot but is tied with the Arizona Coyotes and needs to get points tonight to remain there in the lead up to Friday night’s matchup between the two playoff hopefuls.

“It’s been tough having to watch,” Nieto admitted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in. It’s definitely more nerve-wracking watching than playing. I’ve just been watching the standings close, watching the boys work hard. They’ve done well despite all the injuries we’ve had and we’re in a really good position to make the playoffs. We’re in a pretty good battle so I’m excited to be back and help.”

One of the advantages of having skills coach Shawn Allaird this season has been his ability to get players quickly back into the rhythm of the game upon return from injuries. Nieto credits Allaird for helping him get ready as quickly as he did and ready to contribute to another playoff push.

“He really put on some good skates that are really hard and really good intensity,” Nieto told BSN Denver. “It’s not just skating laps, it’s skill stuff too with the puck. He definitely got me ready.”

Nieto has already registered a career high in assists this season with 18 and at 22 points is just five shy of tying the best statistical season of his career. He had really turned a corner and seemed to be finding a new level of comfort in his role with five points in his last five games before the injury.

“I feel like I was playing my best hockey before the injury happened. I’m going to try my best to pick up where I left off. First and foremost, I’m going to get myself back into it mentally and physically and then take care of the plays and play a simple game from the start.”

News and notes

• Philipp Grubauer will get the start for the Avalanche. It is his sixth straight start.
• Ryan Graves had been in the lineup as the seventh defenseman but was playing extremely limited minutes. He is a healthy scratch tonight.
• Mark Barberio is also just getting healthy but was sent to the Colorado Eagles on a conditioning stint. Just on a personal level, have to be happy for a guy to get back onto the ice who has battled injuries all year. He can definitely help the Eagles in their playoff push, too.
• Malcolm Subban starts for Vegas tonight, a good break for Colorado. Marc-Andre Fleury is 11-3-2 with a 2.07 GAA and .926 save percentage in his career against the Avs. Subban was no slouch in his one appearance against Colorado when he gave up three goals on 38 shots against.
• I had reported the other day that Avalanche prospect Shane Bowers was set to return to school for his junior season but the mass exodus of his teammates seems to have helped change his mind. An announcement is expected to come later today that he has signed his entry-level contract with the Avalanche and will begin his pro career. It is a fair expectation that he reports to the Eagles but we’ll see.