Avalanche at Oilers
THE STORY: The Edmonton Oilers will need to rev up their offense if
they hope to continue their home dominance of the Colorado Avalanche
when they clubs face off Tuesday. Edmonton is 7-1-4 in its last 12 home
meetings with Colorado - and 6-1-3 in its last 10 overall against the
Avalanche. But the Oilers have struggled to score lately, recording two
goals or less in each of their last nine contests. Colorado has lost its
last two games by identical 3-2 scores and has dropped three of five.
The Avalanche also have had their problems on the road, losing four of
six and 13 of 19.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), Rogers Sportsnet (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (26-23-2):
Matt Duchene still is on the shelf with the left knee injury he
suffered on Dec. 29, and it is unknown when the 21-year old will return.
"Right now, he's still out indefinitely," coach Joe Sacco said.
"Hopefully, he'll be on the ice sometime in the near future, but it's
still indefinite and we'll see from there." Duchene has registered 12
goals and 12 assists in 39 games this season. Semyon Varlamov is
expected to start Tuesday. Varlamov, who has not played since Jan. 16,
has lost two straight starts after winning four in a row.
ABOUT THE OILERS (18-26-5): Jordan Eberle made the most of his first
All-Star Game experience, spending time with many of his idols while
also recording an assist. "For a young guy, it’s just fun being there
with guys you’ve looked up to and watched," the 21-year old said.
"Seeing them in action, and off the ice, is an experience in itself. I
was really excited to go. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had,
for sure. Being one of the younger guys there, and learning from the
older guys, there’s a lot you take away from that."
OVERTIME:
1. Edmonton has lost four of its last five games overall but has won two of three at home.
2. The Oilers are 2-7-2 without rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury.