The injury riddled Colorado Avalanche are getting their best forward back.

Colorado activated Nathan MacKinnon off injured reserve, the club announced Saturday. The two-time Hart Trophy runner-up missed 11 games with what the team called an upper-body ailment. He was hurt during a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 5.

MacKinnon was off to a strong start before getting hurt, posting eight goals and 26 assists in 23 games. The Avalanche went 6-3-2 in the 27-year-old superstar's absence.

Colorado is playing without captain Gabriel Landeskog, key winger Valeri Nichushkin, defensemen Josh Manson and Bo Byram, backup goaltender Pavel Francouz, and veteran forward Darren Helm due to injuries.

The Avalanche host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night before playing a home game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

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