Duchene, Avalanche try to stay focused vs. Canadiens (Feb 07, 2017)
The Colorado Avalanche hoped to be using the last two months of the season to make a playoff push, but instead the only drama left in this disappointing campaign is who will still be on the roster on March 1.
The Avalanche (14-33-2) got a rare win Saturday in defeating the Winnipeg Jets, 5-2. It stopped a nine-game losing streak but not the talk of making a major deal for the NHL's worst team, who host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
One of the names most often mention in rumors is center Matt Duchene, who, despite just turning 26, is the longest-tenured player for Colorado. But with a third straight year out of the postseason a likely reality, he knows he could be wearing a different uniform before February ends, and he accepts whatever happens.
"I said I was open to (a trade) because it's part of the business and I accept that," Duchene told HockeyBuzz.com on Monday. "When you sign your contract, you know that you can get traded at any point. It (stinks) what's happened here. There's a good chance that guys that are here right now won't be here next year, and I'm probably one of them. It might happen. All I can do is control what I can control right now, the rest is up to the management."
Duchene is not the only name that gets tossed around when trade rumors start. General manager Joe Sakic said recently that the only untouchables on the current roster are Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. That means everyone else, from captain Gabriel Landeskog to defenseman Tyson Barrie, are on the market for the right deal.
Barrie won't play Tuesday due to a lower-body injury. He skated before Monday's practice but Avalanche coach Jared Bednar told HockeyBuzz.com that Barrie will miss his second straight game and sixth in the last nine.
Colorado should get defenseman Fedor Tyutin back after he missed three games with hip and groin injuries.
One player the Avalanche probably won't deal is defenseman Mark Barberio. Barberio was picked up off waivers on Thursday from Montreal and Tuesday he gets to face his old team, which makes its only visit to Colorado.
"As soon as I got picked up by Colorado, I checked the schedule," Barberio told HockeyBuzz.com. "Go figure, you're playing Montreal now; it's funny how things work out like that, but I won't be surprised by any of their players, that's for sure. I know them pretty well."
Barberio went to a last-place team from one that was in first, but lately the Canadiens (30-16-8) haven't been playing well. They dropped a pair of games over the weekend, including a 1-0 shootout loss to Edmonton on Sunday. Montreal is 3-5-2 in its last 10 games but they still hold an eight-point lead over Ottawa in the Atlantic Division. The Senators have played four fewer games than the Canadiens.
Montreal's tough weekend wasn't the fault of backup goaltender Al Montoya. He had 32 saves through overtime against the Oilers, which included a stop of Connor McDavid, the NHL's leading scorer, on a breakaway in the extra period.
It was Montoya's first start in seven games, and he was ready for it.
"I just try to have fun," Montoya told The Montreal Gazette after the loss. "I know what I'm capable of doing. (Carey Price) has been a workhorse and when I get to play at home -- it doesn't happen too often to me I want to do my best. It's just a shame we didn't get the extra point."
They have a good chance to pick up a point or two against Colorado. The Avalanche are just 6-18-1 at home this season. Saturday's win was just their second at Pepsi Center since Nov. 15 and first in regulation.
Colorado will be looking to avenge a 10-1 shellacking in Montreal on Dec. 10.
"Last time we played these guys, they embarrassed us," Duchene told HockeyBuzz.com. "I wouldn't say we want revenge, but we want to redeem ourselves for sure. We're a competitive group and we got embarrassed that night. They were unbelievable. We were embarrassed by our own effort and how good they were."
