ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Matt Duchene is back on the ice for the sinking Colorado Avalanche and willing to lend a helping hand — even if it's injured.
The team's leading scorer can hold a hockey stick again, more than enough progress for the All-Star forward to pronounce himself fit for a return Tuesday night in St. Louis.
Duchene sat out two games after hurting his left hand in a 9-1 loss to Calgary last week. He's eager to climb back into the lineup, especially with the team mired in a 10-game skid, the longest winless streak since the franchise moved to the Mile High City before the 1995-96 season.