The Colorado Avalanche travel to Vancouver, British Columbia and take on the Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Arena. Colorado is riding a four game winning streak and dominating their opponents to the tune of 19-10 last week en route to first place in the Northwest Division. Kevin Porter has been a recent hero for the Avalanche, as has defenseman John-Michael Liles. Goalie Craig Anderson has leaped back into the starting goaltender role with very little rust and has given the team confidence on the defensive end.
How was Colorado able to leap Vancouver for the division lead? The Canucks have been struggling mightily, as they are in the midst of a four game losing streak. They have been outscored 17-7 during that run, only earning a single point in the standings. Vancouver has been struggling defensively for some time now. They have allowed at least three goals in their past five games -- including a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Star goalie Roberto Luongo has not played particularly well this season. His .907 save % rates near the bottom of the league, and he's allowing goals 20% more frequently this season compared to his previous four seasons with Vancouver.
In their previous two matchups this season, however, it's been a different story. Vancouver has been the better team, defeating Colorado in overtime 4-3, and then soundly beating a flat and uninspired Avalanche team in Denver, 3-1. Tonight's game should be a closely fought battle, with Vancouver playing to reclaim the division lead and Colorado looking to extend their winning streak before facing an easier slate of games. A Vancouver victory would also give them the likely tiebreaker over Colorado for the division lead based on their previous two victories.
The puck drops at 8 p.m. MDT.
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