Columbus (3-6-0) at Colorado (5-4-0) 9:00 p.m. EDT
DENVER (Ticker) -- A rare offensive drought halted the Colorado
Avalanche's five-game winning streak.
With just a single goal over its last two games, Colorado will
look for a breakout offensive performance when it takes on the
Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
The Avalanche had scored four or more goals in five consecutive
games, but after a 2-1 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres on
Saturday, they were shut out for the first time this season in a
3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames three days later.
Goaltender Peter Budaj had his three-game winning streak snapped
as he allowed three first-period tallies in the loss to the
Flames.
Columbus is in the midst of its own offensive struggles, having
collected just four goals during its current three-game losing
streak.
Without starting netminder Pascal Leclaire, who was placed on
injured reserve Monday with an ankle injury, the Blue Jackets
will need an increase in offensive production with backup
Fredrik Norrena in net.
Norrena has allowed seven goals in his two starts this season,
stopping just 40 of 48 shots. He owns an 0-3-0 record in five
overall appearances.