Eurolanche

Avs will stick with Varly vs. Oilers

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche received shootout goals from Matt Duchene and Alex Tanguay in a 2-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 2.

Avalanche team scope: Colorado's hopes to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs are fading despite an 11-5-1 run in its past 17 games. A 3-2 loss Monday to the Calgary Flames dropped the Avalanche to last place in the Central Division with 10 games remaining. They trail the Winnipeg Jets by 10 points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Goalie Semyon Varlamov will start against the Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, coach Patrick Roy told the Denver Post. "We're not going to give up," Roy said. "I understand that our situation does not look good, with the fact that Winnipeg and Minnesota are winning their games. But at the same time as a coaching staff and the players, we feel that we believe in ourselves." Varlamov has allowed six goals in his past two games after giving up seven during a six-game winning streak. Forward Joey Hishon returned Monday after missing five games because of an elbow injury. Forward Gabriel Landeskog has 14 points in his past 13 games.

Oilers team scope: Edmonton will likely be without captain Andrew Ference after he sustained an upper-body injury Monday in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Ference had tests done Tuesday and more about his condition will be known Wednesday. Forward Boyd Gordon (back), also injured against the Jets, was given a day off Tuesday and is questionable. Forwards Luke Gazdic (illness) and Matt Fraser (concussion) will be available. Goalie Ben Scrivens will make his 16th start in 17 games hoping to end a stretch in which the Oilers have allowed four or more goals in seven of their past eight games. Edmonton has lost nine of its past 11, is 5-26-10 against the Western Conference and is 28th in the League with 53 points. "Our biggest thing is finding our team identity," defenseman Mark Fayne told the Oilers website. "These last nine (games) are huge for that. I think it shows our team character and what we're trying to build on here."

-- by Jon Lane for NHL.com --