The Avalanche will be hard-pressed to end a losing streak that has reached three games when they play in Minnesota on Tuesday.
Colorado (11-18-1) is meeting a Wild team (18-8-4) that has won seven consecutive games and has gone 9-1-3 in the past 13.
Here are the GAME NOTES.
The Avalanche have been outscored 47-26 while going 2-9-1 in 12 games, a stretch that began with a 6-3 loss to Edmonton on Nov. 23 when the Oilers scored four times in the third period.
The Avalanche won the two previous meetings with the Wild 3-2 and 1-0 with Calvin Pickard in goal, but Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in this one. He missed the past three games to recover from a groin injury after making 51 saves in a 3-1 win in Toronto on Dec. 11.
Forward Joe Colborne is expected to return from a lower-body injury, with Andreas Martinsen sitting out. Matt Duchene needs one point for 400 in his NHL career.
Wild forward Zach Parise didn’t play in either previous game against the Avalanche. He has 13 goals and 17 assists in 26 games against Colorado.
Devan Dubnyk will be in goal for Minnesota. He's gone 8-0-2 in his past 10 games while limiting teams to 14 goals. He leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.62) and save percentage (.947), and is tied for first in shutouts (four).
Forward Pat Cannone, 30, will make his NHL debut. He was MVP of last year's AHL All-Star Game when he played for the Chicago Wolves. Cannone has four goals and 12 assists in 29 games with Iowa this season.
***** Kind of late for Christmas shopping, but here are a couple of ideas:
Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard is involved with a line of clothing. Hoodies, caps, etc. CAN BE FOUND HERE.
Also, if you're interested in graphic novels, Howard Shapiro's "Hockey Karma" deals with an older hockey player nearing retirement. Former NHL player and present broadcaster Bill Clement says the novel "is more than a hockey story ... touches on finding your voice, aging gracefully and maintaining personal friendships." You can check out READER REVIEWS.