Predators’ James Neal returns from injury vs. Avalanche

Nashville Predators forward James Neal returned from injury on saturday night vs. the Colorado Avalanche. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

Nashville Predators forward James Neal made his return from injury on Saturday afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche.

The 29-year-old, who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday morning, has missed the team’s last five games with an upper-body injury and will play for the first time since Jan. 3 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Neal leads the Predators with 14 goals this season.

Newly acquired forward Cody McLeod also made his Predators debut against the Avalanche Saturday, his former team.

The 32-year-old is fourth in the NHL with eight fighting majors this season.

Kevin Fiala and Mike Ribeiro both came out of the Predators lineup to make room for the veteran forwards.

Earlier in the day, Nashville also assigned winger Pontus Aberg to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, while calling up defenceman Petter Granberg, who got the start on the Predators’ blue line with Roman Josi and P.K. Subban still out with injuries.

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