Game 29 Preview: Avalanche at Panthers

Colorado Avalanche	5:30 MT / 7:30 ET / 12:30 GMT	Florida Panthers
15-8-5	December 2nd, 2009	10-12-4
35 pts	BankAtlantic Center	24 pts
4th in West	Sunrise, FL	13th in East

The Avalanche got a big win on Monday as they topped the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 on Monday. They'd like to make it 2-for-Florida tonight as they face off against a Florida Panthers that is, well, kind of meh. The Panthers aren't doing very well in any major statistical category, they've lost 5 straight, and are currently missing a couple of their best players in David Booth, Cory Stillman and Tomas Vokoun

Per Dater, Craig Anderson is the starter. I know it's all serendipitous to have the former Panther Anderson in there, with another game tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, this really should be Peter Budaj's game. Unkind or not, the Panthers are a team you throw your backup against.  But, at least we'll get to see Andy  firmly focused on...the ice girls. We already know the starter for the Panthers will be Scott Clemmenson (facing the Avalanche for the 1st time in his career). He's in for Vokoun, recovering from nearly being Van Gogh'd by defenseman Keith Ballard.

Speaking of Ballard, there are a bunch of former Avs on the Panthers. Steven Reinprecht is 2nd on the team in scoring. Jordan Leopold is averaging 22 minutes per game and is playing in all situations (he's tops on the team in PK time). And the Panthers also have the enigmatic Victor Oreskovich, a former 2nd round pick of the Avs who retired from hockey early and is attempting a comeback this year.

Happy 23rd birthday today to Kyle Cumiskey. *beep beep*.

Tale of the Tape

(all rankings are from before Tuesday games)