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Giguere to face Devils; Tanguay, Stastny remain out

February 3, 2014, 1:46 PM ET [22 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT




Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in goal Monday night against New Jersey when the Avalanche opens a four-game road trip through the Metropolitan Division.

But forwards Paul Stastny (ankle) and Alex Tanguay (knee) will be out for the second game in a row. Both players are on the trip, so it's possible either could play Tuesday in New York against the Rangers. It sounds like Stastny's chances of playing this week are a lot better than Tanguay's are.

So PA Parenteau will play again on a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. They combined for three goals and three assists Saturday in the Avalanche's 7-1 win against Buffalo.

The Avalanche will use 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second game in a row, but it's likely Brad Malone will get called up from Lake Erie if Stastny and Tanguay aren't available Tuesday.

Coach Patrick Roy said last week that he expected Giguere to start against the Devils and Semyon Varlamov would get the call against the Rangers, and he's sticking with the plan.

Giguere hasn't started since Jan. 6, a 4-3 home loss to Calgary. He stopped 19 of 20 shots in relief of Varlamov on Jan. 21 in the Avalanche's 5-2 home loss to Toronto. He started the season with seven consecutive wins but has lost his past four decisions while allowing 17 goals.

Giguere has a 5-1-2 career record against New Jersey with two shutouts, a 1.62 goals-against average and .944 save percentage.

The Devils will counter with Cory Schneider, who's gone 5-1-3 in his past nine starts and has a 6-1-2 career record against the Avalanche with two shutouts, a 1.54 average and .952 save percentage. He made 37 saves Jan. 16 at the Pepsi Center in a 2-1 shootout loss with Varlamov in goal for Colorado.

How the Avalanche lineup is expected to look against New Jersey:

FORWARDS
Ryan O'Reilly -- Matt Duchene -- Jamie McGinn
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- PA Parenteau
Cody McLeod -- John Mitchell -- Max Talbot
Marc-Andre Cliche -- Patrick Bordeleau

DEFENSE
Jan Hejda -- Erik Johnson
Andre Benoit -- Nate Guenin
Nick Holden -- Tyson Barrie
Ryan Wilson

GOALIES
Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Semyon Varlamov
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