Chris Stewart and Cody McLeod Set To Return for the Colorado Avalanche

After playing the last 21 games without perhaps their best player, the Colorado Avalanche will finally welcome back right wing Chris Stewart when they take on the Minnesota Wild, Friday—the same team the Avs were playing when Stewart broke his hand fighting with Wild forward Kyle Brodziak. 

Also returning to the line-up is forward Cody McLeod, who's missed games with a groin injury.

It cannot be overstated how much Stewart's loss meant to the Avalanche. At the time of the injury, he was leading the Avalanche in goals (11) and points (25).

More importantly, the Avalanche's record with Stewart in the line-up this season is 13-9-1; not overly spectacular, but gaudy when compared to the 9-7-5 record they've compiled in Stewart's absence.

In response to Stewart's activation from injured reserve, the Avalanche have sent forward Greg Mauldin to Lake Erie of the AHL.

Mauldin likely won't be the only roster causality.

Brandon Yip, who led all Avalanche forwards in ice time in their abysmal 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, could soon find himself in the press box thanks to inconsistent offensive production, scoring only one goal in his last 15 games.

Kevin Porter could also find himself on the outside looking in, as he only has two points in his last 11 games (both against Detroit).

Getting Stewart back on a line with Paul Stastny will hopefully provide a spark for the stagnant Avalanche, who've gone 3-5-2 over their past 10 games.