12/01/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try to halt a five-game losing streak in Minnesota, where they play the Wild tonight at Xcel Energy Center.
The Avalanche haven't won in Minnesota since a 2-1 shootout victory on January 6, 2007. The Wild's success over the Avalanche hasn't been limited to just St. Paul either, as they have won six of their last nine overall versus Colorado.
Colorado lost a 3-1 home decision to the Wild back on November 6. Peter Budaj allowed three goals on 20 shots, as the Avs played without Joe Sakic on that day.
Sakic has missed eight of Colorado's last 11 games due to a lingering back issue. He returned to the lineup on Friday against the Coyotes, but didn't play much and then sat out Saturday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. Sakic did not accompany Colorado to Minnesota and is out indefinitely.
The Avalanche scored three first-period goals versus the Lightning on Saturday, getting two from Wojtek Wolski and one from Jordan Leopold. David Jones added what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the third frame.
Marek Svatos had three assists in the win to match a career-high for points in a game for Colorado, which also placed defenseman Adam Foote on injured reserve on Saturday due to back and knee issues.
Budaj was given the day off on Saturday, with Andrew Raycroft making just his second appearance of November. Raycroft made 17 saves for his first win since October 18. Budaj should be back in net tonight, as he is 6-7-2 with a 2.80 goals against average lifetime against the Wild.
Colorado begins a three-game road trip tonight and is 5-7-0 as the visiting team this year. The club has lost three of its last four on the road.
Like Budaj, Minnesota starting netminder Niklas Backstrom was given the night off Saturday and should start tonight. Backstrom is 8-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA in 10 starts versus Colorado and made 35 saves in beating the Avs earlier this year.
Josh Harding was in net on Saturday and was backed by a franchise-record tying five power-play goals in a 6-2 win over Nashville. Harding made 25 saves in his second start of the season.
Mikko Koivu scored twice, once on the power play, and had an assist, while Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Andrew Brunette, Owen Nolan, and Craig Weller all scored on the man advantage.
Minnesota is now second in the NHL on the power play at 24 percent (24- for-100).
Brunette added two assists in Saturday's win, with Antti Miettinen chipping in with three helpers for Minnesota, which has won two straight and three of its last four games.
The Wild, one point back of first-place Vancouver in the Northwest Division, is 7-4-1 at home this year and kicks off a three-game residency tonight.
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