The Colorado Avalanche are officially on a roll. After dominating the Chicago Blackhawks by a 4-0 score on Friday night, Colorado has won four games in a row and nine of their past 10 games. They face their most difficult challenge of the road trip in the finale, a game against the St. Louis Blues.
The Blackhawks were on the second game of back-to-back nights, and it certainly showed as Colorado outhustled and outworked Chicago to the puck. The Avalanche face a similar challenge on Saturday night with their second game in two nights against a Central Division playoff contender. St. Louis has been dominant at home this season, boasting a 16-3-2 record at Scottrade Center.
The Blues have ridden a stingy defense and spectacular goaltending towards the top of the Western Conference standings, though there are some warning signs. They have only scored 103 goals on the season (23rd in the league) and starting goaltender Brian Elliott has slowed from his torrid first half of the season. Elliott has only won one of his past four games with a middling .901 SV% over that span. He will get the start for St. Louis against Colorado. Former Avalanche winger Chris Stewart has been hot lately, with five goals in his past 10 games to lead the team.
For Colorado, it will mark the return of Erik Johnson and Jay McClement to their former hometown for the first time this season. Johnson had one of his best games of the season against Chicago, finishing with two assists and a +3 rating. Colorado won their first two meetings of the season, both 3-2 victories at Pepsi Center.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere will get the start in net for Colorado, giving Varlamov a rest after this shutout victory on Friday night.
Puck drops at 6:00 p.m. MDT
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Blues blog St. Louis Game Time.