It seems that we had a similar preview for a Colorado Avalanche game last night...
For the second evening in a row, the Avalanche will play a game against the Dallas Stars, this time at Pepsi Center. The storylines are all the same; Colorado captain Adam Foote announced his retirement this morning, the Dallas Stars are attempting to blitz their way into the postseason, and the Avalanche are looking forward to the end of the season and the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in June.
Let's take a brief look at these three points:
--Foote officially announced his retirement this morning, the second member of the 1996 Stanley Cup champs to retire this season (after Forsberg) and the final active member of that team still playing hockey. Will he play on the ice one more time before the home crowd Sunday afternoon against Edmonton? Still to be determined, as Foote's knee has sidelined him for that last couple of weeks. He rides into the sunset on his own terms, and the game says farewell to one of it's finest citizens.
--The Dallas Stars 4-2 victory last night put them into position to at least tie for the last playoff spot this weekend. The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks are both two points ahead of the Stars, but Dallas has an extra game on their schedule. A win tonight would be huge for them.
--Colorado has officially clinched the second worst record in the NHL this season. Depending on the results of the draft lottery, they have around a 25% chance at the top overall selection, but will pick no lower than third this June. Furthermore, since the St. Louis Blues have been winning recently, it's looking very favorable that the Avalanche will also have the 11th overall selection as well. It will be an exciting June for Avs fans.
Peter Budaj will get the start for Colorado tonight, as Brian Elliott played in net last night. Kari Lehtonen will get the second straight start for Dallas.