Canucks at Avalanche
THE STORY: Just when the Colorado Avalanche thought they had rid themselves of one nemesis, another is arriving in town. Mired in a four-game losing streak, the Avalanche face the unenviable task of trying to break out of their funk when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Northwest Division-leading Vancouver has taken seven of the last eight games against Colorado and has been particularly dominant this season, winning both meetings via shutout and outscoring the Avalanche by a 9-0 margin. It's not exactly the type of an opponent to help end a skid that has seen the team produce six goals in the last four games. Two of the last four losses have come against Minnesota, including a 1-0 shutout at home Thursday night that marked the sixth defeat in seven games against the Wild. Vancouver opens a four-game road trip after going 3-3-0 on a six-game homestand that was capped with a shootout loss to Detroit on Thursday night.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, RSNT, ALT
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (31-15-5): Vancouver had a three-game winning streak snapped in the loss to the Red Wings. It marked the fifth consecutive one-goal game for the Canucks, who have gone beyond regulation in six of their last eight (5-1-2). Vancouver needs to tighten up defensively after allowing 82 shots in its last two versus Detroit and Chicago. C Cody Hodgson was named the league’s rookie of the month for January. He topped all rookies with six goals and four assists in 11 games.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (26-25-2): Colorado’s offensive woes were accentuated by the decision to scratch RW David Jones on Thursday. The team’s leading goal scorer with 27 last season, Jones has tallied just nine in 43 games this season and has scored only twice since Nov. 15. Jones has two points – both goals – in his last 19 games. The Avalanche have lost twice to Vancouver, but any division rival is an obstacle for Colorado, which has won just two of 14 matches against the Northwest this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Colorado will make its fifth attempt to give coach Joe Sacco his 100th career victory.
2. Vancouver All-Star Daniel Sedin, who had a hat trick in the last meeting with the Avalanche, has 12 power-play goals in 60 games versus Colorado.
3. The Avalanche have been limited to one goal or fewer in three of their past four home losses to the Canucks.