There have already been a bunch of injuries on the Colorado Avalanche so far. But, like Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Jost before him, Patrik Nemeth escaped what initially was feared might be a lengthy absence.

Nemeth, the waiver-wire pickup by the Avs from Dallas who is among the NHL’s top plus-minus leaders (plus-7) will be back on the practice ice Wednesday. If all checks out, he could return to the lineup Thursday against the St. Louis Blues at the Pepsi Center.

Nemeth hurt a shoulder in a fight with former Dallas teammate Tyler Seguin, and flew back to Denver for more evaluation from team doctors. Fears of a separated or dislocated shoulder proved unfounded, after further testing.

Nemeth’s spot in the lineup Tuesday was taken by Anton Lindholm, a fellow Swede.