



Vancouver Canucks

7 MT / 9 ET / 2 GMT

Colorado Avalanche

40-23-2 March 9th, 2010

37-22-6

82 pts Pepsi Center

80 pts

3rd in West

Denver, CO

6th in West



The Colorado Avalanche have a healthy chunk of "big" games remaining on their calendar this year. Tonight's game is about as big as they get. The Avalanche take on the division-leading Vancouver Canucks tonight at the Pepsi Center. Due to tiebreakers, the Avalanche can't overtake the Canucks tonight, but they can pull even (point-wise) with a regulation win.

That may be easier said than done. You know how the Avalanche have owned the Blues this year, to the tune of outscoring them 16-5 in 3 games against them? Well, the same bitch slap scenario exists with the Canucks...except the Avalanche are the ones on the receiving end. Vancouver has outscored the Avalanche 16-4 in the last 3 meetings, including a shutout by *gulp* Andrew Raycroft. It's time to end the cycle.

Vancouver is nearing the end of their epic 14-game road trip. And, like the Avs' own lengthy trip at the start of the season, its been by no means the disaster the pundits thought it would be. Vancouver is 7-5-0 so far and finish up with tonight's game in Denver and the capper tomorrow in Phoenix. After that, the Canucks play 10 of their final 15 games at home. I know I'm saying this in just about every preview now, but the Avalanche could really use two points tonight.

For the Avs, the Road Runner returns; Kyle Cumiskey is expected to play tonight. Meanwhile, Road Kill (Ruslan Salei) will not. He's out indefinitely with a torso injury.

Dustin has the recap tonight. Go Avs!

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