Milan Hejduk has seen it all during his impressive NHL career. The grizzled veteran and former captain is expected to take the ice for his 1,000th league game on Monday as the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars. The Pepsi Center has been a safe haven for the Avalanche, who improved their home mark to 3-0-0 after posting a 3-1 triumph over Edmonton on Saturday afternoon. Colorado, which will play the second contest of its season high-tying four-game homestand, has outscored its visitors by a 10-2 margin.
Dallas has been heading in the opposite direction, having dropped five of six decisions after a splitting a home-and-home tilt with Phoenix over the weekend. Coach Glen Gulutzan's club fell to 1-4-0 away from the American Airlines Center after it couldn't solve former Star Mike Smith in a 2-0 setback to the Coyotes on Saturday. Goals have been scarce on the road for Dallas, which has tallied just four times in its last six contests away from home dating back to last season.
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ABOUT THE STARS (3-5-1): Loui Eriksson put forth a sizzling effort against Colorado last season, collecting two goals and three assists in the four contests. The Swede will need to continue that trend for Dallas, which is without veteran Ray Whitney (lower body) and fellow forward Derek Roy (groin). While Whitney is sidelined for a long time, Roy is expected to return to the lineup on Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News. Richard Bachman was strong in net on Saturday and finished with 32 saves in his second start of the season. Kari Lehtonen, who will likely receive the nod on Monday, is 6-2-1 with a shutout in his career against the Avalanche.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (4-4-0): The injury front is of utmost importance for Colorado, which is awaiting the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog (head). The reigning Calder Trophy winner has missed the team's last four games, but is eligible - although unlikely - to come off injured reserve on Monday following his brutal hit from San Jose's Brad Stuart on Jan. 26. Talented defenseman Ryan Wilson has been ruled out versus the Stars after he suffered a leg injury during the second period of Saturday's game and did not return.
OVERTIME
1. Although Hejduk has played the most games for the Avalanche, Hall of Famer Joe Sakic competed in 1,378 combined career contests with the Quebec Nordiques/Avalanche franchise.
2. Colorado RW PA Parenteau netted his sixth goal - and fourth in as many contests - on Saturday. Parenteau has five assists in three career games versus Dallas.
3. The Avalanche are just 2-for-27 (7.4 percent) on the power play this season. The Stars aren't much better after converting four of their 28 opportunities (14.3 percent) with the man advantage.