Avalanche at Ducks
THE STORY: The Anaheim Ducks had high hopes at both the beginning of the season and after Bruce Boudreau took over behind the bench. They have yet to live up to those expectations, however. The Ducks have dropped five of their last six games during their latest rough patch, allowing an average of four goals during the stretch. Since beginning the season 4-1-0, Anaheim has posted a 6-19-6 record and now sits just one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the lowest point total in the NHL. Streaking in the opposite direction are the Colorado Avalanche, who visit the Ducks on Saturday. The Avalanche have won six of their last seven and snapped a nine-game road losing streak with a 4-2 win at Minnesota on Monday. Colorado finished up its December home slate 8-1-0 with a win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday. The Avalanche kicks off a four-game road trip at Anaheim.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ALT (Colorado), FSPT (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (20-18-1): Colorado’s recent run has been built on defense and goaltending. The Avalanche have allowed an average of 1.7 goals in their last six wins, with Gs Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Semyon Varmalov each turning in strong performances. Six of Colorado's past seven wins have come by one goal and the team has killed off 27 of 30 penalties in the last eight games. The Avalanche earned a 3-2 win over the Coyotes on Thursday, with Varlamov making 15 of his 25 saves in the third period.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-20-6): G Jonas Hiller has allowed at least four goals in five of his 10 starts for Anaheim this month, including four in 28 minutes on Thursday during a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The blue line has not been much help, allowing at least 31 shots on goal in each of the last five contests.
OVERTIME:
1. Anaheim has won six straight and nine of 10 in the series. The Ducks totaled 17 goals in the four meetings last season.
2. Giguere, who spent 8 1/2 seasons in Anaheim, is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average versus his former team.
3. Hiller is 6-2-0 with a 2.00 GAA in eight career starts against Colorado.