Eurolanche

Bruins open road trip at Avalanche

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche won twice against the Boston Bruins last season. Goalie Reto Berra made 27 saves in a 2-1 win at TD Garden on Oct. 13 and Nathan MacKinnon scored in the shootout for a 3-2 victory at Pepsi Center on Jan. 21.

Bruins (0-3-0) team scope: Forward Brad Marchand returned to practice Tuesday but did not take contact. Marchand, who sustained a concussion Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, said he felt good. He will travel to Colorado for the start of a brief road trip that wraps up Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes, but the Bruins will be cautious about when he returns to the lineup. Defenseman Joe Morrow has the flu and was placed on injured reserve. Defenseman Tommy Cross was recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League. Boston is off to its worst start since losing five straight to begin the 1999-00 season. "The only way for us to go is up right now," Marchand said in comments tweeted by the Bruins. "We're confident in our team and our ability, and we're going to be better."

Avalanche (1-1-0) team scope: This is the conclusion of a season-opening, three-game homestand for Colorado. Coach Patrick Roy used the same lineup for a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild and a 6-3 win against the Dallas Stars, but will make a change on defense Wednesday with veteran defenseman Brad Stuart taking the place of Nate Guenin. Defenseman Brandon Gormley and forward Mikhail Grigorenko are the other healthy scratches. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin has five assists in his first two games for Colorado and is tied for the NHL lead in that category entering Wednesday. "The fact that we've scored 10 goals in our first two games, we're confident," Roy said in comments tweeted by the Avalanche. They're 4-for-6 on the power play while the Bruins have allowed three power-play goals, including two in a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

-- by Brian Hunter for NHL.com --