The Colorado Avalanche dominated the slumping Dallas Stars on Friday night to open this homestand, but the opposition is about to become much tougher for the remaining seven games.
Sunday's game at Pepsi Center features the San Jose Sharks, who have quietly been the most impressive team in the Western Conference this season. Despite playing only 17 games so far this year (least in the West) they have the Conference's best goal differential at +11 and lead the Pacific Division with 23 points and an 11-5-1 record.
New acquisitions Martin Havlat and Brent Burns good for the Sharks, but their stars have been electric. Joe Pavelski leads the team with 10 goals and 18 total points. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Logan Couture all have at least five goals on the season. In net, Antti Neimi has been okay (2.52 GAA) but has really been saved by his team's offense.
The Avalanche will likely start Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the third straight game,according to the Denver Post.. Giguere has allowed only one goal in the past two games and, given Semyon Varlamov's struggles the past few games, makes sense as the starter for now.
Puck drops at 6:00 p.m. MDT from Pepsi Center.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey or our Sharks blog Fear The Fin.