Panthers at Avalanche
THE STORY: The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for the Florida Panthers. Ed Jovanovski, Jose Theodore, Marco Sturm, Sean Bergenheim and Jack Skille are all day-to-day with injuries. Despite winning just once in their last five games, the Panthers still occupy the top spot in the Southeast Division. They’ll be looking to pick up a crucial two points and stay ahead of the Washington Capitals for the division lead on Wednesday in Colorado. The Avalanche will also be looking to turn things around. Losers of four of their last five games, they find themselves just one point shy of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They’re coming off a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FSN Florida, Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (21-14-9): Florida earned a tough point in a shootout loss to the defending champion Boston Bruins on Monday night. Panthers blue-liner Jason Garrison found the back of the net and leads all NHL defensemen with 12 goals. Another reason for Florida’s success this season: special teams. The Panthers have given up the third-fewest power plays in the league, allowing only 3.1 per game. That should bode well against Colorado, which generates the second-fewest power-play chances in the league at 3.1 per game.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (24-21-2): Colorado’s offense continues to struggle without Matt Duchene. The Avs’ have tallied just six goals in their last five contests and are desperate for scoring. The only offensive contributor lately has been Ryan O’Reilly, who has four points in as many games. There is some good news on the injury front for the Avalanche. Shane O’Brien, who’s missed four games with a knee injury, should return to the lineup on Wednesday.
OVERTIME:
1. The Panthers are the only division-leading club with a minus-goals differential (minus-11).
2. The Avalanche are 7-0 in shootouts this season.
3. This is the only meeting of the season between the two clubs.