Stars at Avalanche
THE STORY: Stefan Elliott’s NHL debut started an avalanche of
momentum, which host Colorado will ride into its game against the
banged-up Dallas Stars on Monday. Elliott, who barely made it to Denver
in time for Saturday’s game after being called up from Lake Erie of the
American Hockey League, scored the go-ahead goal and was named the No. 1
star in the Avalanche’s 5-2 victory over visiting Edmonton. Elliott, a
defenseman, replaced Erik Johnson, who was put on injured reserve
Saturday with a groin injury. The Stars are losing players and games at a
rapid rate. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen (13-4-1, 2.34, .926) will miss at
least two contests after injuring his groin in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at
Phoenix. Andrew Raycroft (0-5-0, 3.51, .899) is expected to play in
Lehtonen’s absence. Dallas has lost seven of its last nine games,
including a 3-0 setback in Denver on Nov. 18, and has lost four straight
road games.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE STARS (13-9-1):
With left wing Brenden Morrow already out with an upper body injury,
forward Vernon Fiddler (groin, questionable to play Monday) and
defenseman Trevor Daley (back, doubtful) also left Saturday’s game with
injuries. Despite its problems, Dallas is in a three-way tie for first
in the Pacific Division with Phoenix and San Jose, one point ahead of
Los Angeles. Forward Jamie Benn had a goal and three assists in the two
games prior to Saturday.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (10-12-1):
Elliott, the 49th overall pick in the 2009 draft, broke up a 2-on-1
moments before his goal. Semyon Varlamov (6-9-1, 3.13,.896) snapped a
seven-game losing streak Saturday as Colorado improved to 2-2-0 on its
eight-game homestand, but still has the NHL’s worst home record at
4-8-0. The Avalanche on Saturday registered their highest goal output at
home this season and won for the first time in seven games against the
Northwest Division.
OVERTIME:
1. Loui Eriksson scored his second goal of the game in overtime to give Dallas a 7-6 victory over visiting Colorado on Nov. 4.
2. The home team has won 14 of the last 19 meetings.