The Colorado Avalanche could not have asked for a better week of performances on their East Coast road trip. Now, after earning five of a possible six points, the Avalanche sit all alone in eighth place in the Western Conference.
Their opponent on Tuesday night, the Calgary Flames, sit just two points behind Colorado and well within striking distance for a playoff berth of their own. They have been rolling through the month of March, garnering 14 points in their last ten games. Captain Jarome Iginla has carrying the offensive load for his club, with eight goals and six assists during that span. Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay have also been a force, with 11 points apiece over that period. Veteran goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has been effective with a .927 SV % in his past ten games
The Avalanche have matched the Flames point for point this month, with a 6-3-1 record in March. While forward Steve Downie has cooled down substantially from his first week, fellow deadline acquisition Jamie McGinn has continued his torrid pace. The young forward has seven goals since coming to Colorado, leading the team.
A Colorado victory pushes the Flames to the outskirts of the playoff picture, but a Flames victory significantly tightens the race. With only 10 games remaining for the Avalanche, a critical two points and a chance to bury their division rival is on the line.
Semyon Varlamov will start in net for Colorado after a dominant performance against the Rangers on Saturday night.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. MDT.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Flames blog Matchsticks and Gasoline.