Avalanche at Red Wings
THE STORY:
There is no truth to the rumor that the Colorado Avalanche will
petition the NHL to play all their games on the road. The Avalanche take
their 6-1-1 record away from the “friendly’’ confines of Denver into
Detroit on Tuesday for a meeting with the Red Wings, who are flying high
again. Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over
Anaheim on Saturday and looked more like a perennial Stanley Cup
contender. Colorado has lost three straight, including a 2-1 decision at
home to Calgary on Sunday. The Avalanche fell to 1-5-0 in the Mile High
City, which includes a 3-0 loss to Detroit in Colorado’s season opener
Oct. 8. Detroit could be missing forwards Todd Bertuzzi and Jiri Hudler,
so defenseman Mike Commodore could move up front. The Red Wings are
5-1-1 in their last seven games against the Avalanche, including 2-0-1
at home.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (7-6-1):
Colorado’s ability to win away from home has been enhanced by the NHL’s
top road power play at 26.6 percent. Matt Duchene has seven points
(four goals) in his last five games – overall and against Detroit.
Duchene had an assist Sunday playing on the Avalanche’s top line with
right wing Milan Hejduk and center Paul Stastny for the second straight
game. David Jones, who was taken off the top line, hasn’t scored a goal
in six games. Colorado has killed only 13 of its last 22 penalties.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (6-5-1):
Detroit nearly matched its goal output during its losing streak (six)
in its 50-shot barrage on the Anaheim net Saturday. Jimmy Howard is
coming off his second shutout of the season and is 3-1-1, 2.83, .891
lifetime against Colorado. Right wing Patrick Eaves is expected to
return after missing two games with a back injury. Captain Nicklas
Lidstrom scored twice Saturday and is tied with Florida's Jason Garrison
for the league lead among defenseman with five goals.
OVERTIME:
1. Pavel Datsyuk has 35 points (13 goals) in 34 games against Colorado, including a goal and an assist Oct. 8.
2. Colorado has lost six straight when its opponent scores five or more goals in the previous game.