Should be another tough game for the Avalanche on Friday night when the Anaheim Ducks visit the Pepsi Center.
The Ducks are winless in four games (0-2-2) and coming off a 7-2 loss in Calgary on Wednesday, so they're looking to make amends and get back on track. They still lead the Pacific Division with a 43-16-7 record and 93 points, but second-place San Jose also has 93 points --the Sharks have played one more game -- and can move in front with a win against the New York Islanders if the Avalanche can finish off the four-game homestand with a win.
"It's a good challenge for us," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said after the morning skate. "Lately we've been playing against a lot of top teams, which is good for us in some ways to prepare us very well for every game. It's always dangerous playing against a team that lost 7-2. We expect them to play hard tonight and to be focused."
It's an important game for the Avalanche as well. Colorado moved into second place in the Central Division with Wednesday's 3-2 win against Chicago, but the Blackhawks are only one point behind and are at home Friday against Nashville.
"If we win, we'd be tied for second in the league, and that'd be pretty special," Matt Duchene said. "I think it's better to be playing the top teams this time of year. It keeps you ramped up, keeps you ready for what's going to come. We obviously want to be ahead of these guys, and they're going to want this one real bad. They're going to be hungry.
"They've had a tough go lately, which all teams go through, and it's going to be a tough task. We have to get on them early and maybe some of their last game will carry over for them. But we can't expect that."
Semyon Varlamov will start for the Avalanche in goal, with Jonas Hiller in net for the Ducks. He was yanked after giving up three goals on five shots against the Flames, but he's one of the best goalies in the NHL.
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Unless the teams meet in the playoffs, this will be Teemu Selanne's final appearance at the Pepsi Center. He's in his 22nd NHL season and has said he plans to retire after the season. Selanne has had a tough time with seven goals and 13 assists in 52 games.
In an attempt to jump-start Selanne and the Ducks, coach Bruce Boudreau is moving Selanne to the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. A right wing throughout his career, Selanne will play left wing against the Avalanche.
"It's OK," he said of the position change. "When you've played your whole career on the right side, I'll just have to stay focused when we're coming out of our end and come back on the left side. It shouldn't be a problem.
"Every time you have a chance to play with those two guys, it's fun. I haven't had a chance to do that for a year pretty much, but those guys are unbelievable players, so hopefully we can do well. I really believe the game is easier when you're playing on the first line. You have to work and do the right things, but I'm excited with this challenge for sure."
Selanne has no goals and three assists in his past 14 games, and no points in five games since winning a bronze medal with Finland in the Olympics, but he's always played well against the Avalanche. He has 36 goals and 40 assists in 68 career games against Colorado.
"I always believe that all the great teams have to go through some tough times and this is one of those for us," Selanne said. "It keeps you honest and reminds you that you have to work hard and do the right things. We need everybody to turn this around together, and that's going to make this team stronger. Last game nothing worked. We are not very happy with how we have played lately." Selanne played one season for the Avalanche, in 2003-04, after Roy retired. He had knee problems throughout, didn't get along with then-coach Tony Granato, and finished with 16 goals and 16 assists in 78 games.
"A special player," Roy said. "It's nice to see what he's accomplished. I'm sure we'll see his jersey one day (hanging from Honda Center rafters)."
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It's been over five months since the Avalanche and Ducks met in the season opener, when Roy got into a shouting match with Boudreau at the end of the game and shoved the glass partition between the team benches.
"It is behind us," said Roy, who said after he was hired that he wanted to establish a partnership with the players.
Duchene said Roy's emotional outburst proved exactly that and "set the tone" for what has been a surprisingly successful season.
"It was pretty good that he showed us it wasn't just talk," Duchene said. "We knew he was going to back us up anyway, but he backed us up the first night, which was pretty cool. That set the tone for where we are now."
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The Avalanche just announced three-year contract extensions for forward John Mitchell and goalie Reto Berra. Three years, $4.35 million for Berra; three years, $5.4 million for Mitchell.
Spoke with Roy about Berra this morning:
Anticipating the retirement of Jean-Sebastien Giguere after this season, Colorado acquired Berra on March 5 from Calgary in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Berra has been working with goalie coach Francois Allaire and is scheduled to make his first start Wednesday at Winnipeg when the Avalanche concludes a three-game road trip.
"He was on the top of our list," Roy said. "He's 6-4, a big kid, and he's worked with Francois in the past. Francois is very confident in him. We've been saying all along we don't want rental players. We wanted someone we believe will play for us long term. He's been very receptive to what Francois wants. He's doing well and I'm sure he'll be ready for his game against Winnipeg."
Here's the Avalanche lineup (center Paul Stastny remains out with his back injury, and defensemen Cory Sarich and Ryan Wilson will be scratched again):
FORWARDS Ryan O'Reilly -- Matt Duchene -- Jamie McGinn Gabriel Landeskog -- John Mitchell -- Nathan MacKinnon Cody McLeod -- Marc-Andre Cliche -- Max Talbot Brad Malone -- Paul Carey -- Patrick Bordeleau
DEFENSE Jan Hejda -- Erik Johnson Andre Benoit -- Nick Holden Nate Guenin -- Tyson Barrie
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Jean-Sebastien Giguere