Mikko Rantanen Will Return to Avs Lineup for Game 1 Against Flames

Rantanen has been sidelined since taking a check into the boards near the team benches at Dallas on March 21.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Colorado Avalanche All-Star forward Mikko Rantanen has recovered from an upper-body injury and will play in their first-round series against Calgary.

Game 1 is Thursday night in Calgary.

Rantanen has been sidelined since taking a check into the boards near the team benches at Dallas on March 21. He's coming off a regular season in which he had a career-high 87 points and 31 goals. The right-winger also led the team with 16 power-play goals.

Colorado coach Jared Bednar said after practice Wednesday that he expects Rantanen to ''play a lot, just like he normally does.''

Rantanen said he feels ''really good'' heading into the Flames series. He had four assists in six games last season during a first-round playoff loss to Nashville.