Talk about an exciting matchup. In 22 games, the Tampa Bay Lightning have managed 50 goals. The Avalanche have managed 54 in the same time span. League-leading San Jose has scored a whopping 89 goals in just one more game played.
The only major difference between the two basement-dwelling underachievers is their success in overtime. The Avs have yet to lose a game in OT or the shootout. The Lightning have managed to lose seven overtime games. That's pretty sad, but at least they get seven points for their trouble.
The Avalanche don't have a lot going for them right now. Joe Sakic played a single shift in yesterday's game against the Coyotes and then left the ice for good. We may never see him again, the way things are going. Adam Foote and Ben Guite remain injured and Wojtek Wolski played against Phoenix like he had a concussion. Ryan Smyth is still playing his ass off but the rest of the team continues to just skate around aimlessly.
Peter Budaj, after twelve straight starts, will finally get a rest today. Andrew Raycroft will be in net for the Avalanche, which means at least one team on the ice will have a big offensive showing. Mike Smith is the likely starter for the Lightning, and he's had much past success against the Avs (while playing for Dallas) and is solid enough to keep the pathetic Avalanche "attack" at bay.
UPDATE: Never mind, this report says it's Kolzig. Then again, it also says Budaj will be in goal again. So I have no idea.
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