Kings-Avalanche Preview: Game 11

Since we last met the Colorado Avalanche…

IN: After going into a lottery-pick tailspin last season, shipping Craig Anderson off to the Senators, the Avalanche overhauled their goaltending in a big way. Semyon Varlamov, always excellent when healthy, has been solid in net so far; Jean-Sebastian Giguere is his backup. Jan Hejda and Shane O’Brien were added to the d-corps (and Kyle Quincey is healthy again—hi Q). Rookie sensation and prospective male model Gabriel Landeskog already has four goals. That’s so dreamy! Other additions: Chuck Kobasew, Joakim Lindstrom, Drew McIntyre.

OUT: Brian Elliott, Peter Budaj, Philippe Dupuis, Tomas "Low Altitude" Fleischmann, Adam Foote, John-Michael Liles

INJURED: Peter Mueller (concussion), Mark Olver (head), Brandon Yip (broken arm)

SCRATCHED: Kevin Porter, Matt Hunwick

Probable lineup:

Galiardi - Stastny - Hejduk
Lindstrom - Duchene - Jones
Landeskog - O'Reilly - Winnik
McCleod - McClement - Kobasew

Hejda - Johnson
Quincey - O'Brien
Wilson - O'Byrne

Varlamov

Further Reading: Mile High Hockey

Key Quote: "We want to get on top of them early," Avs coach Joe Sacco said of the Kings, who are 3-0-2 on the road. Dirty.

Both coaches want to establish a strong forecheck, but the Avs assume the Kings will be too tired to put up a fight. We’ll see who delivers.

Now it's time to help Quick out.