Pre-game vs Dallas - Dec 27, 2006 - Colorado Avalanche Updates, News and Game Reviews at Avs Talk

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Pre-game vs Dallas - Dec 27, 2006

After closing the pre-Christmas break era by taking top spot on the Northwest, the Avalanche now aim to remain on top as they take on Dallas at home tonight. Dallas is coming off a loss to the streaking Chicago Blackhawks last night while the Avs haven't seen action since defeating the Hawks on the 23rd.

In what can only be thought of as a good thing for Colorado fans, the following forwards are likely not in the lineup for Dallas tonight: Lindros, Modano, Morrow. That's like telling Avs fans that Brunette, Sakic, and Stastny are out. That would sting. Let's hope it hurts like a...you know what...for Dallas tonight.

The bad news for the Avs is that Dallas is 6-0 against them in their last six meetings, 3 of these being at the Pepsi Center. But as I always say, the longer things remain the same...the more likely they are to change. Let's hope that comes true tonight and the Avs wipe the floor with Dallas. If anything, just so I can regain some dignity since my uncle is a Dallas fan. I've still got the playoff wins to hang over his head.

Even as the Avs sit atop the Northwest, they are a mere 1 point ahead of the cellar dwellers in that devision. Thanks to a Canucks win last night the Northwest is tighter than *insert favorite analogy here*. Thankfully, the Leafs took care of the Wild last night, capping off one of the few times I cheer for the Leafs. I feel dirty all over. Minnesota, Calgary, and Vancouver are all in action tonight so any one of them could step over the Avs, possibly even two of those teams.

Jose Theodore gets the start tonight and hopefully he, and the rest of the team, don't come out a bit flat after having four straight days off. Theodore's last start wasn't a particularly busy one as he turned aside only 17 shots, but he should see more action than that tonight. We're likely to see Turco in net at the other end unless they decide to go with their surprisingly capable backup Mike Smith.

Marek Svatos is sitting out this game as well as his groin still isn't 100%. It's unfortunate to miss him on the ice, however hopefully the rest brings him back near 100% so we can see the Svatos of last year. He's shown flashes of what he can do this year but has never put a consistent effort together either between games or even between periods.

Injuries
Svatos - groin, day-to-day
Leopold - groin, IR

Lindros - upper body, questionable
Modano - hip flexor, IR
Morrow - lower body , questionable

Hot
Stastny and Brunette have 4 in 2, Sakic has 13 in 8, Richardson and Turegon have 3 in 2, Wolski, Liles, Rycroft, and Klee all have 2 in 2

Boucher has 14 in 13, Barnes has 4 in 5, Klemm has 2 in 2 and Robidas has 3 in 4

Cold
Laperriere has 0 in 6

Ribeiro has 0 in 5, Zubov has 0 in 4, Sydor has 0 in 7, Lehtinen has 1 in 6

Goaltenders
Jose Theodore - 9-9-1, 2.96 GAA, .903 save pct
Marty Turco - 18-10-0, 2.12 GAA, .919 save pct

Standings
Colorado - 18-15-2, 1st in NW, 3rd in West
Dallas - 23-14-0, 3rd in Pacific, 6th in West

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