The Avalanche play the third game of their four-game homestand when they meet the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night.
Here are the game notes.
Among other things, offense has been a problem for the Avalanche (23-22-11), who are averaging 2.4 goals per game, but they scored 10 goals in the past three games and are coming off a 4-1 win Saturday against Dallas that ended their losing streak at four games.
"I think it's positive," coach Patrick Roy said. "I certainly like the goals that we scored last game. There was a lot of traffic in front of the net, tips. That's what we want. You look around the NHL, the type of goals that have been scored, it's not always a pretty play. It's having guys driving to the net and going to the net. That's what we want to continue to do."
Avalanche defensemen Jan Hejda (knee) and Brad Stuart (head, neck, ribs) were banged up Saturday against the Stars, but they took part in the morning skate Monday and will play.
The Avalanche will take an 0-for-32 slump on power plays into the game.
Goalie Semyon Varlamov will start for the 13th consecutive time and 21st time in 22 games.
"Their season hasn't gone the way they wanted, but with the skill and talent they have, one game can turn things around and they can get going on a roll and do something special," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. "They've got some serious skill up front, an unbelievable goaltender. Their back end's got some young guys that are stepping up and playing big minutes. It's going to be a tough game."
It's been a rough season for the Coyotes (20-30-7), who've lost three games in a row, but they're 3-1-0 in their past four road games.
Goalie Mike McKenna, who was recalled Feb. 9 from Portland in the AHL, will make his NHL season debut. McKenna, 31, was signed as a free agent July 1. He had an 18-14-2 record with five shutouts, a 2.09 goals-against average and .933 save percentage with Portland.
McKenna has a 5-10-2 career record in the NHL with a 3.40 average and .891 save percentage with stops in Columbus, New Jersey and Tampa Bay.
Regular goalie Mike Smith "is a little bit under the weather, not feeling well," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "It just seemed like the right time to (play McKenna). We need to play well in front of him. He's a veteran backup guy and has been a pro for a number of years. He recognizes the situation. It's a great opportunity for him. Our team has to play better in front of our goaltender no matter who it is. He's excited about the opportunity."
Here's the Avalanche lineup:
FORWARDS Gabriel Landeskog - Ryan O'Reilly - Nathan MacKinnon Max Talbot - Matt Duchene - Jarome Iginla Alex Tanguay - John Mitchell - Dennis Everberg Cody McLeod - Marc-Andre Cliche - Paul Carey
DEFENSE Jan Hejda - Zach Redmond Nate Guenin - Tyson Barrie Brad Stuart - Nick Holden
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Reto Berra