Avs optimistic Nathan MacKinnon returns Saturday

Nathan MacKinnon could be back in the Colorado Avalanche lineup when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Out the past 11 games with an upper-body injury, MacKinnon was expected to decide his status prior to puck drop Saturday night. He hasn't played since leaving a 5-3 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 5.

"He's close too. Really close," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "When he tells me he's ready to