Maple Leafs at Avalanche
Returning home isn't necessarily an advantage for the Colorado Avalanche, who will attempt to halt a four-game slide when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Their current skid notwithstanding, the Avalanche also have dropped seven consecutive games at home (0-6-1) and are seeking their first win at the Pepsi Center since Nov. 15.
Colorado has won only twice in its last 13 games overall, including a 3-1 victory at Toronto on Dec. 11 behind Semyon Varlamov's magnificent 51-save performance, and scored five goals during the losing streak. "We know our history, we've been struggling all year to create offense," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said after Tuesday's 2-0 loss at red-hot Minnesota. A 3-2 setback to Anaheim capped a five-game homestand (1-2-2) for the Maple Leafs as they prepare to kick off a four-game road trip to close out 2016. Toronto has won two of its last nine games (2-4-3) and sits in last place in the Atlantic Division.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (12-12-7): With forwards Tyler Bozak and Ben Smith sidelined due to injury, Toronto had eight rookies in the lineup against Anaheim and the brightest of all continued his torrid goal-scoring binge. Auston Matthews, the top overall pick in this year's draft, scored for the ninth time in 12 games to boost his team-leading total to 15 goals. "I don't know what you guys thought, but I thought he was fantastic," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said of Matthews. "I thought he was our best player."
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (11-19-1): Varlamov sat out three games following his superlative effort in Toronto but returned with another strong outing, turning away 31 shots at Minnesota. “He’s been out for a few games and came back and was outstanding,” Colorado forward Jarome Iginla said of Varlamov. “Those really sting when he plays that well and you don’t get any (goals) in front of him.” The Avalanche came up empty on all five power-play chances Tuesday and have converted only once in 17 opportunities over the past four games.
OVERTIME
1. Maple Leafs G Frederik Andersen takes a 1-1-0 record versus Colorado and 2.00 goals-against average into Thursday's start.
2. Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon has three goals and three assists in seven games versus Toronto.
3. The Maple Leafs called up F Byron Froese from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.