The Colorado Avalanche faced a heartbreaking overtime loss against the Dallas Stars, with Miles Wood's crucial turnover leading to the game-winning goal by Colin Blackwell. Despite Wood's energetic performance, highlighted by his aggressive play and ability to draw a penalty that contributed to Nathan MacKinnon's opening goal, the mistake proved pivotal. Coach Jared Bednar praised Wood's overall game but acknowledged the weight of the turnover in such a critical moment. This loss underscores the challenges the Avalanche face, particularly with key players like Gabe Landeskog returning from injury but ultimately not participating in the game.

In addition to Wood's efforts, the absence of Ross Colton due to injury was felt. The Avalanche made a surprising decision by activating Landeskog from long-term injured reserve for pregame warmups but opting for Wood in the lineup instead, reflecting the team's ongoing adjustments amidst a playoff series. This decision highlights the delicate balance between managing player health and fielding the best competitive lineup.

The latest updates in the NHL reveal several roster changes and injury concerns that could impact fantasy leagues. Shayne Gostisbehere of the Carolina Hurricanes is sidelined with a lower back issue, while teammate Taylor Hall was rested for a recent game. The Colorado Avalanche are also facing challenges, with forward Miles Wood missing a game due to illness and Gabriel Landeskog recently returning from a lengthy absence. After three years, Landeskog returned to play, expressing cautious optimism about his health after a strong showing in the AHL.

In Edmonton, the Oilers are bracing for potentially devastating news regarding Mattias Ekholm, who might be facing a lengthy injury absence that could derail their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers opted to healthy scratch Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, indicating stronger depth than initially perceived. Other injuries of note include Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild, who missed time after taking a puck to the throat, and Pierre Engvall of the New York Islanders, who needed assistance off the ice, raising further concerns about his availability.

Miles Wood has been activated from the injured reserve for the Colorado Avalanche after missing 27 games due to a back injury. Earlier this season, he also missed seven games with an upper-body injury.

In Columbus, Sean Monahan of the Blue Jackets is expected to be out for an additional six to eight weeks with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, Boone Jenner has returned to practice following shoulder surgery and is optimistic about progressing to full participation soon.

Linus Ullmark from the Ottawa Senators participated in morning skate but is not expected to return just yet. The Vancouver Canucks’ Dakota Joshua has been cleared for contact and may return soon.

Alex Pietrangelo of the Vegas Golden Knights has opted out of the 4 Nations Face-Off to focus on his recovery, while Team Sweden faces challenges after losing Jacob Markstrom and William Karlsson to injuries.

Miles Wood is poised to make his return to the Colorado Avalanche after a back injury sidelined him for several weeks. He has been skating for about two weeks and could rejoin the lineup as soon as Saturday in Boston. His coach, Jared Bednar, confirmed that Wood will be traveling with the team, and a decision on his playing status will be made after assessing his readiness.

During his absence, Colorado has undergone significant changes, including swapping out both goaltenders and acquiring Juuso Parssinen, who might play alongside Wood on the fourth line. Wood reflected on the impact of injuries, expressing a renewed appreciation for the game and the importance of staying healthy. As Wood prepares to return, he hopes to reconnect with his former teammate Mackenzie Blackwood, likening his acquisition to finding a key player in the NFL.

The Colorado Avalanche faced a crowded practice session on Monday, seeing a return of eight players who had been unavailable during their last game. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood, who was activated from injured reserve, participated and is set to be an option for the team's upcoming game against the New York Rangers. Wedgewood's rapid recovery from a serious ankle injury is a boost for the team, according to coach Jared Bednar.

However, not all injury updates were positive. Samuel Girard remains sidelined due to an upper-body issue, while Valeri Nichushkin's lower-body injury is taking longer to heal than initially expected. Reports on captain Gabe Landeskog's recovery from surgery revealed that while he has made progress, he is not yet able to skate regularly.

New additions like Miles Wood and Oliver Kylington also participated but will need more time before returning to play. Meanwhile, Ivan Ivan has been cleared to return to action but will be playing in the AHL for now. With John Ludwig back from a conditioning stint, the Avalanche are managing their defensemen well despite ongoing injury challenges.