Avs shake up defense vs Devils
The official game preview New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche.Season series: Matt Duchene and Tyson Barrie scored in the second period when the Colorado Avalanche won 2-1 against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 1. Avalanche goaltender Reto Berra made 27 saves. Kyle Palmieri scored for the Devils.
Devils team scope (21-18-5): Goaltender Cory Schneider will start for New Jersey, which had the day off Wednesday following a 5-2 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, have lost four of the past five games. They play the third of a four-game road trip. Defenseman John Moore, who was injured in the first period of a 2-1 loss at the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 6, is hopeful he will be in the lineup, according to NorthJersey.com. Right wing Jordin Tootoo sustained an upper-body injury following a fight with Blues forward Ryan Reaves midway through the third period Tuesday and is questionable. Coach John Hynes is hoping Mike Cammalleri (upper body), who has missed the past six games, will participate in the morning skate Thursday and possibly play Saturday at the Arizona Coyotes.
Avalanche team scope (21-20-3): The Avalanche recalled defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras from San Antonio in the American Hockey League and they will be in the lineup. Defenseman Brandon Gormley was reassigned to the AHL. "We need a spark and we feel [Zadorov and Bigras] might give us a spark," Roy told the Avalanche website. "It will be up to them to push guys out of the lineup." Defenseman Nate Guenin was placed on waivers and defenseman Erik Johnson (lower-body injury) on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 4. Defenseman Brad Stuart (back) continues to skate on his own and is making progress. Goaltender Calvin Pickard will start. The Avalanche lost their second straight on Tuesday, 4-0 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the fourth time this season Colorado has been shut out, including three times at Pepsi Center. "I understand we didn't have a good game," Roy told DenverPost.com. "We were flat and didn't have any swagger."
-- by Mike G. Morreale for NHL.com --
Eurolanche.com, Worldwide, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
14/01/2016 - 16:30
