COLUMBUS, OHIO — After nearly three years since playing his last NHL game, Peter Forsberg will be back in the lineup tonight for the Avalanche.

Forsberg will skate at left wing on a line with Matt Duchene and Milan Hejduk in tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’m excited — and nervous,” Forsberg said, after taking part in the morning skate with teammates at Nationwide Arena. “I don’t know how it’s going to go, but I’m going to be skating with two great players, so hopefully they can help me out a little bit out there.”

Forsberg, 37, last played in Game 3 of the 2008 Western Conference semifinals against Detroit. Tonight will be Forsberg’s 707th career NHL game. He has 885 career points, and his .901 assists per game ranks fourth in all-time NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr.

Forsberg rejoined the team Thursday night in Columbus and took part in the skate. The Avalanche have been sliding, losing five games in a row.

“It’s going to be good. He’s obviously a great passer and I’m just hoping he can find me out there and maybe I can get a couple goals,” Duchene said. “I think it’s a good thing for us, a good distraction for us, maybe make us a little bit lighter. Every team goes through tough stretches, but it’s far from over and hopefully we can get back in to a playoff spot.”

Avs coach Joe Sacco said he would let the game determine how many minutes he might play Forsberg.

“We’re hoping he can help create some offense for us,” Sacco said. “He brings experience and he brings winning to our club. He’s won some Stanley Cups, and you can never have enough of those guys, guys who have been through those kinds of games and experiences.”

Forsberg said he might have to change his previous style of game some — which was skilled, but included a dash of hard-hitting, agitating, bring-it-on toughness.

“Maybe a little bit,” Forsberg said. “Maybe I won’t run around as much as I did before. I think it’s going to be hard, though. As soon as you get out there, you want to (hit). But first game, though, I’m sure I’m not going to have too much energy to run around out there.”

Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com