It’s been just over three weeks since Artturi Lehkonen exited early with an injury, but the Colorado Avalanche are set to get their veteran winger back tonight.

Lehkonen was originally injured on March 3 against the Anaheim Ducks, leaving the game in the first period after just three shifts totaling 3:21 of ice time. Head coach Jared Bednar later described it as a “weird hit,” noting the timing and positioning contributed to the upper-body injury.

At the time, Lehkonen was ruled week-to-week and subsequently missed several games, including the second half of Colorado’s back-to-back. Bednar expressed uncertainty about the exact timeline, saying it could be two or three weeks depending on how the injury progressed, but remained optimistic he would return before the postseason.

Now, that return is here.

Lehkonen is expected to rejoin the lineup tonight as Colorado faces the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre, giving the Avalanche a key boost as they continue to push toward the playoffs.

In Lehkonen’s absence, Ross Colton was elevated into a top-six role alongside Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin. With Lehkonen back, Colorado regains one of its most reliable two-way forwards at a crucial point in the season.

Lehkonen has posted 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 59 games this season. The 30-year-old, who hails from Finland, also represented his native country at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, where he earned a bronze medal. Lehkonen was also a point-per-game player in Milan, posting two goals and four assists for six points in six games played.

His return to the lineup will be a much-needed boost for Colorado as they continue to hold a seven-point lead over the Dallas Stars in the Central Division, and the Avs' recent history at Canada Life Centre has not been very good. However, expect the Avalanche to come out of the gate with a little more bounce in their skates as they look to earn their fourth straight win.