The Avalanche are hopeful of getting the home portion of the schedule off to a good start Wednesday when they play the Boston Bruins at the Pepsi Center.
It's a necessity, really.
They opened the season by going 2-1-0 on the road, capped off by a 4-0 win Monday in Boston, but winning on home ice has been a huge problem in recent seasons.
The Avalanche went 13-26-2 at home last season and 17-20-4 the season before, and that just won't cut it.
"It's real important for us," coach Jared Bednar said after the morning skate. "Our guys are excited. You can tell we had a little bit of nerves this morning and I'm sure we'll have a little bit tonight. I think that's based on wanting to have a real good showing in front of our home crowd and getting things started on the right foot at home.
"I know it's been an issue, (the record) hasn't been good enough over the last few years. This is a new group and we want to go show our best."
While the Avalanche have beaten the Bruins 10 consecutive times in Boston, where they're 11-0-1 (a tie) in the past dozen visits, the Bruins are 5-0-1 at the Pepsi Center since a 4-1 loss on Dec. 7, 2005.
The Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 in their home opener and lost 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils in theirs before winning Monday. The Bruins, who are starting a three-game road trip, won their home opener, 4-3 against Nashville, before Semyon Varlamov shut them out.
"We went into two buildings on the road and it was their home opener and there's an energy about it," Bednar said. "It's a big game and we want to make sure we get the two points, but we also want to show our fan base our new identity."
The Avalanche will make one lineup change, replacing defenseman Anton Lindholm with Mark Barberio, who was scratched the past two games.
Colorado is 13-5-3 in home openers since moving from Quebec in 1995.
Matt Duchene said he's enjoying centering a line with rookie Alexander Kerfoot and Nail Yakupov, both of whom were signed as free agents.
"I have two new linemates every year," he said. "I don't remember the last time I played with two of the same guys for more than probably 10 games. It's not anything new." The trio has combined for three goals, four assists, 17 shots and a plus-8 rating.
"They're playing great," Duchene said. "We're working well as a unit and we want to keep it going tonight. There's no way we should be complacent. The line should be hungrier, if anything.
"I didn't like two of our preseason games, the one in Dallas and one in Vegas. I don't think the three of us liked those games at all, but we got a quick start against New York and I think we've rolled since. We're getting lots of chances every game and we want to keep that going."
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron will miss his third consecutive game with a lower-body injury. Neil Acciari (finger surgery) and David Backes (diverticulitis) are on injured reserve.
Tuukka Rask will start in goal.
The Avalanche lineup:
FORWARDS Sven Andrighetto -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen Alexander Kerfoot -- Matt Duchene -- Nail Yakupov Gabriel Landeskog -- Tyson Jost -- J.T. Compher Colin Wilson -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau
DEFENSE Nikita Zadorov -- Erik Johnson Patrik Nemeth -- Tyson Barrie Mark Barberio -- Chris Bigras
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Jonathan Bernier