Eurolanche

Avs' Pickard to start against Panthers

Season series: Forward Vincent Trocheck had two goals and an assist in the Florida Panthers' 4-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 27. All four of the Panthers' goals came on special teams, (three power-play, one shorthanded). Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog scored with less than a minute left to prevent a shutout for Florida goalie Roberto Luongo.

Panthers (36-19-8) team scope: Florida forward Jaromir Jagr is one point behind Gordie Howe for third all-time in points after an official scoring change gave Jagr an assist from a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 27. Jagr has 1,849 career points, 47 this season. "You've kind of got to think twice just because you don't want to squander the moments you have with pretty much a living legend, right? He's done a great job for our team this year," Panthers forward Reilly Smith told the Associated Press. Smith and Jagr are tied for the Panthers lead in goals (21). Florida is 4-1-2 in its past six games, but has lost six of its past nine road games.

Avalanche (32-29-4) team scope: Colorado's backup goaltender, Calvin Pickard, will start against the Panthers. "It's a good opportunity for me [Thursday]," Pickard told the Avalanche website. "Every game is huge at this point. The only thing we're looking for is the win." Pickard replaced starter Semyon Varlamov in a 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Pickard saved 15 of 16 shots against the Wild and has won his past two starts. "I'm not going to throw [Varlamov] under the bus here. … Right now, it's bit of a tougher time for him and [Pickard] has been playing really well," coach Patrick Roy said. The Avalanche have lost three of their past four games.

-- by Kristen Nelson for NHL.com --