Jonathan Drouin returns to lineup, Devon Toews out for Game 4 vs Dallas Stars

Colorado Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin was on the ice for warmups and will start in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars.

Drouin missed the first round of the postseason against the Winnipeg Jets after suffering a lower-body injury in the final game of the regular season. He earned a career-high 56 points this season and played the majority of his time on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

"Obviously, he's a huge key for us. So if he feels good and he's able to play, then he'll be an awesome addition. Obviously, just his overall speed brings a lot to our top six. So yeah, he'd be a big addition for sure," Cale Makar said after morning skate.

Related: Valeri Nichushkin placed in NHL Player Assistance Program, suspended for 6 months

The Avs organization announced that Devon Toews will miss Game 4 due to illness. Caleb Jones has been put in the lineup and the defensive pairs are:

Sean Walker — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Josh Manson
Jack Johnson — Caleb Jones

Just before warmups, the NHL announced that Valeri Nichushkin was placed in the NHL Player Assistance Program in Stage 3, which means he is automatically suspended for at least six months.

Drouin's return is a boost for the team and even more crucial after the loss of Nichushkin.

"He's a good player – really good player. We've missed them while he's been out. He has the ability to move around our lineup and help with the skill portion of it, the skating portion of it," head coach Jared Bednar said. "He's become a really trusted defensive player for us. So he brings a lot to the table."

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