Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.
His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.
Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.
Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.
His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.
Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.
Just when things started to round into form for the Colorado Avalanche, their top point-getter and No. 1 forward was injured Tuesday night.
Nathan MacKinnon was hurt with 6:04 remaining in the second period after taking a hit from Canucks defenseman Alex Edler. MacKinnon left the ice holding his shoulder and didn't return.
Through 49 games, he has been an offensive dynamo for the Avs, notching 24 goals and 37 assists.
Losing MacKinnon for any period of time would be a massive blow to Colorado's playoff chances, as the Avalanche entered Tuesday only a few points shy of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
Late in Tuesday's game, it didn't appear the Knights were going to be tying any records. They trailed the Calgary Flames 2-1 with less than two minutes left, but Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault scored the equalizer and go-ahead goals 10 seconds apart. David Perron added an empty-netter.
Vegas' first chance at breaking the record will come Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Boston Bruins' incredible run of consecutive games with a point has come to an end at 18, as the Anaheim Ducks handed Boston its first regulation loss since Dec. 14 on Tuesday.
Anaheim earned the 3-1 victory on the back of a two-goal night from Adam Henrique. The Bruins' record in January now stands at 8-1-2, a run that saw them catapult up the standings into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Boston won't need to wait long to start a new streak, as it takes on the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
For the second consecutive game, John Gibson's night ended early, as the Anaheim Ducks netminder was pulled from Tuesday's contest versus the Boston Bruins in the third period due to an apparent injury.
Gibson was shaken up after a save on a Patrice Bergeron shot, but stayed in the game after being visited by trainers, only to be relieved by Ryan Miller shortly after.
The 24-year-old has started 39 games this season, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average.
Hedman was hurt in a Jan. 11 contest against the Calgary Flames when his knee collided awkwardly with Flames forward Garnet Hathaway. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve with a three-to-six-week recovery timeframe, so his return is well ahead of schedule.
After 44 games, Hedman was very much in the conversation for the Norris Trophy, registering six goals and 27 assists while logging over 25 minutes in ice time per night.