clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Game 8 Preview: Avs @ Panthers

After three straight losses, the Avs (2-4-1) head south to take on the Florida Panthers (4-3-1).

By Steven W Page
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

After loosing a third period lead and allowing the Columbus Blue Jackets their first win of the season, the Avs have loss three straight games and are quickly seeing themselves fall into an early season hole in the Central division. At just five points, the Avs are the only team in the central not to break double digit points. At first glance, the Avs statistics don't make them look like a team that is in turmoil, but their possession time and their ability to transition the puck still needs to improve drastically. Patrick Roy will mix up the lines in hopes of seeing some results.

The Avs will look to get back on track on the road as they head south to begin a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers return home after an impressive 6-2 victory in Dallas on Saturday. Jaromir Jagr led the way for the Panthers with a goal and an assist against one of his now many former teams in Dallas. At 43 years old, Jagr continues to drink from the fountain of youth as he leads a young Panthers team in both goals and points. At six goals, Jagr sits among the league's top five goal scorers. The future-hall-of-famer will look to continue his offensive ways Tuesday night against the Avalanche.

LINES

Everberg-Duchene-Iginla

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Skille

Tanguay-Soderberg-Comeau

McLeod-Mitchell-Grigorenko

Beauchemin-Johnson

Holden-Barrie

Zadorov-Guenin

Berra

Varlamov

Scratches: Gormley, Stuart

NOTES

- After serving a three-game suspension, Tyson Barrie will return to the Avalanche line-up.

- Nathan MacKinnon will not get a chance to face the man who followed him in the 2013 draft, as Aleksander Barkov will miss the next two to four weeks with a hand injury.

- Reto Berra will get the start in net Tuesday. Berra has started all three road games thus far and leads the NHL in both goals against average and save percentage.

- The Avs special teams continue to be a bright spot as they sit fifth in the NHL in both penalty killing and power play percentage.

GAME INFO

Game time: 5:30pm MT

TV: ALT