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Carolina Hurricanes |
7:00 MT / 9:00 ET |
Colorado Avalanche |
| 2-4-2 | October 22, 2009 | 6-1-2 |
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6 pts |
Pepsi Center |
14 pts |
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12th in East |
Denver, CO |
1st in West |
The last time the Carolina Hurricanes won in Denver, they were known as the Hartford Whalers. Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly were 5 years old. That, of course, doesn't matter at all. More importantly, the Hurricanes are off to a poor start. They have struggled offensively, averaging just 2.12 goals a game - and that includes a 7 goal outburst against Florida. Their powerplay is dreadful (29th) and they are the most penalized team in the league, averaging more than 6 minor penalties a game. Guh. The Hurricane's might also be frazzled if the Avs get more than 15,000 into the building tonight (it's Alexei Gusarov night!). Carolina played in front of a whopping 9,000 fans in New York on Wednesday. If you're going, don't yell to loudly; it might startle them.
Peter Budaj will finally get rid of the baseball cap to make his season debut.[UPDATE: Scratch that. Peter Budaj is out with the flu and Tyler Weiman has been recalled and will be in uniform tonight. Per Adrian Dater, Anderson will start.] Craig Anderson has gone the whole way for the Avs so far joining Ray Emery and Martin Brodeur as the only 3 who have played every minute in net. Cody McLeod is out tonight (and tomorrow night) with the eye injury. Hopefully he'll be okay for the West Coast trip next week. Chris Stewart has been recalled after two scoreless games in Lake Erie; either he or TJ Hensick will replace McLeod in the lineup tonight (I think it'll be Hensick as he hasn't played in about 2 weeks). John-Michael Liles has started practicing again, but is not ready yet. Tom Preissing is skating, but not practicing. Ruslan Salei is...uh...well...*crickets*...not close to returning from the sound of it.
For the 'Canes, Cam Ward will get the start. Although Mike Leighton has one appearance in relief, Ward has started every game for Carolina this year. The Hurricanes will be without forwards Erik Cole and Michael Ryan as well as defenseman Tim Gleason. Old friend Stephane Yelle centers the 4th line for them.
Hurricanes vs Avalanche coverage
Today in Colorado Avalanche History: October 28th, 2008 - Joe Sakic scores early in the 3rd period to seal a 4-1 win over the Oilers in Edmonton. Sadly, that would be the final goal of Super Joe's career. Darcy Tucker and Wojtek Wolski assisted.