The long-awaited Peter Forsberg comeback was short-lived, as the legendary forward retired after playing just two games this season for the Colorado Avalanche. Unfortunately, fans who purchased tickets to tonight's game to see Forsberg's home debut against the Calgary Flames will feel short-changed by tonight's festivities. But the game must go on....
Colorado is officially in free fall, having lost six straight games. Their last game, a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on February 12, was particularly heartbreaking. Colorado held leads on two separate occasions (and led in the third period) before a shot beat Peter Budaj, who had played his best game of the year up to that point.
Now Colorado looks more towards a potential Top Five draft selection in this year's NHL Amateur Draft instead of the Northwest Division crown they had hopes for in December.
Calgary, on the other hand, has been the most electric team in the NHL in 2011 and have shot up the Western Conference standings into the playoff picture. They are 8-1-2 in their previous 11 games, led by goalie Miikka Kiprusoff's 2.30 GAA. They have used a balanced scoring attack to place themselves into contention, with six separate players tallying seven or more points in the past 10 contests.
Peter Budaj will start again in net, even though Craig Anderson is back with the team. Miikka Kiprusoff will play for Calgary.
Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MST.