Detroit (23-7-4) at Colorado (17-16-1), 9:00 p.m. EST
DENVER (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings look to bounce back
from a rare loss when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on
Saturday.
Entering having won eight of their last 10 games, the Red Wings
fell to the Nashville Predators, 3-2, on Friday.
Detroit has lost two in a row twice this season, from October
29-30 and November 24-26.
Six-time Norris Trophy winner Niklas Lidstrom left against the
Predators in the second period with a lower body injury after he
was on the receiving end of a shot from defenseman Shea Weber.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock said X-rays were negative, and was
unsure if the captain would be able to play against Colorado.
The Avalanche, who began a stretch that will see them play 15 of
19 at home, used a goal and three assists from Ryan Smyth to
edge the Phoenix Coyotes, 5-4, on Tuesday.
However, center Paul Stastny suffered a fractured right forearm
in the game and is out indefinitely. Stastny, who had a goal
and two assists in the game, was hit with a slapshot in the
final minute of regulation.
With Joe Sakic out until March after injuring his left hand in a
snow blower accident two weeks ago, the loss of Stastny, the
team's leading scorer, will surely dent the offense for
Colorado, which has alternated wins and losses in the last seven
games.