The Avalanche continue their latest road trip by playing the New Jersey Devils (12-9-2) Tuesday night following a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Monday.
Here are the game notes.
With a 9-14-1 record and 19 points in 24 games, the Avalanche likely will need a minimum of 76 points in the remaining 58 games -- giving them 95 -- for any chance to make the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference.
The Avalanche had 23 points through 24 games last season with a 9-10-5 record.
Needing a little positive news? Matt Duchene was named the NHL's third star for November. He collected 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 14 games.
Your 3 NHL Stars of the Month: https://t.co/75IgNKPAIK
1. @88PKane
2. @Holts170
3. @Matt9Duchene pic.twitter.com/XaX7bAK9JX
— NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2015Will coach Patrick Roy go with Semyon Varlamov in goal again or start Reto Berra? The Avalanche have gone 7-0-1 in their past eight games against the Devils -- 3-0-1 at the Prudential Center -- and Varlamov has played quite well against them (4-1-0 in his career, 1.56 goals-against average, .940 save percentage).
Varlamov has started the past four games and allowed 10 goals in the past three, including four goals on 27 shots in the loss to the Islanders. He's allowed three or more goals in 11 of 14 games this season with a 5-7-1 record, 3.28 goals-against average and .887 save percentage.
Devils goalie Cory Schneider, in contrast, has permitted three or more goals four times in 19 games. He's gone 11-6-2 with a 2.03 average and .928 save percentage. He has a 6-2-4 career record against the Avalanche (most of his appearances coming with Vancouver) with two shutouts, a 1.64 average and .947 save percentage.
Roy has said he expected John Mitchell and Alex Tanguay to play at some point on this trip, so maybe one or the other plays in New Jersey. Mitchell has missed seven games in a row and 11 of the past 13 with an oblique injury. Tanguay has missed 10 games since sustaining a knee injury Nov. 6 against the Rangers.
Jarome Iginla needs three goals to become the 19th NHL player to score 600. His goal Monday was his eighth of the season and first in nine games ... The Avalanche are 0-2-0 when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation ... Nate Guenin has been a healthy scratch for six consecutive games and for 10 of the past 13.