The Avalanche expects to get a much-needed boost tonight with the return of Paul Stastny.

The 23-year-old center is listed as "probable" for the Avalanche's game against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena.

Coach Tony Granato liked what he saw of Stastny at practice Monday but said a final determination wouldn't come until after this morning's pregame skate.

Stastny hasn't played since Dec. 23. He suffered a fractured right forearm when hit by a shot taken by Phoenix's Olli Jokinen while the Avalanche was killing a penalty.

Stastny underwent surgery seven days later.

Granato believes Stastny's presence will give the Avalanche a major lift, just as the return of defenseman Adam Foote from his long- term injury did.

The Avalanche won consecutive games against Detroit, Ottawa and Washington after Foote's return from a torn triceps that kept him out of 17 games.

"It's the same thing when Adam came back in the lineup against Detroit," Granato said. "You get players with leadership abilities and also great skill. We've missed Paul. Let's face it, we've done a lot of experimenting at the center ice position.

"We've had a lot of guys play a lot of minutes in that position that normally don't. To get him back in there, he's a big part of our team. We all know that. We know how great he is. It certainly would be a big boost for us."

Wojtek Wolski has collected seven goals and 10 assists in 22 games since moving to center on the top line with Ryan Smyth and Milan Hejduk.

Tyler Arnason played several games with Smyth and Hejduk immediately after Stastny was injured but was largely ineffective.

Despite missing 26 games, Stastny is the Avalanche's fourth-leading scorer with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists). He is tied with Marek Svatos for third on the team with six power-play goals.

The Avalanche has gone 11-15 without Stastny and skidded to 15th place in the Western Conference, seven points out of the eighth and final playoff position with 22 games to play.

It's Budaj's turn

Peter Budaj will start in goal for the Avalanche after serving as Andrew Raycroft's backup for four consecutive games and five of the past six.

Budaj has lost three straight decisions while allowing a total of 10 goals.

He has gone 3-8 with one no-decision in 12 games since Dec. 31 and is 16-23-1 overall with a 2.95 goals- against average and .898 saves percentage.

On the rise

Penalty killing has been a sore spot for the Avalanche, but it has been better in recent games.

The Avalanche has killed 10 penalties in a row in the past two games, 12-of-13 in three games and 31-of-35 in 10 games.

Bull's-eye on Kovalchuk

The Avalanche will need to pay close attention to Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, one of the NHL's most dangerous offensive threats.

Kovalchuk has nine goals and four assists in the past seven games.

He ranks seventh in goals with 30 and 12th in points with 63.

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