Avalanche at Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks will be looking to clinch a postseason berth on Wednesday, when they complete a five-game homestand against the skidding Colorado Avalanche. Anaheim, which needs just one point to qualify for the playoffs, is 11 ahead of second-place Los Angeles in the Pacific Division. Radek Dvorak kept the Ducks headed in the right direction by scoring twice in Monday's 2-1 triumph over Edmonton.
While Anaheim is ascending (5-1-1 in its last seven games), Colorado has plummeted into the league's basement. The Avalanche saw their winless streak extend to five games (0-4-1) with a 3-1 setback against visiting Calgary on Monday. The road likely will provide little solace for the Avalanche, who are winless in their last 14 contests (0-11-3). Colorado's last victory away from the Pepsi Center was a 4-3 shootout win over Minnesota on Feb. 14.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Altitude2 (Colorado), KDOC (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (12-22-5): Former Duck Jean-Sebastien Giguere isn't too thrilled with his team's performance - and he let it know after the loss to the Flames. "Some guys are more worried about their (Las) Vegas trip at the end of the season than playing the remaining games," Giguere said. "Quite frankly, I don't care about your Vegas trip right now. It's not constructive. It's embarrassing. I'm embarrassed to be here right now. It's not even funny." Giguere is winless in his last six decisions (0-4-2).
ABOUT THE DUCKS (27-8-5): Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau is doing his best to make sure his team stays on the right track. With that in mind, Boudreau reiterated the importance of the team's goals. "The first goal is to make the playoffs," he said. "If you don't want the whole enchilada, I don't want to talk to you." Boudreau likely is talking to Corey Perry, who shares the team lead in goals (13) with captain Ryan Getzlaf. Perry scored his second goal 4:14 into overtime to lift Anaheim to a 4-3 win over Colorado on Feb. 24.
OVERTIME
1. Boudreau told the Los Angeles Times that he expects Getzlaf to play on Wednesday. The captain has missed three games with a leg injury.
2. The Avalanche have failed to convert on 13 power-play opportunities over the last four contests.
3. Anaheim G Viktor Fasth turned aside all 31 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over Colorado on Feb. 6.