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Avalanche-Flames Preview

Jan 11, 2010 - 2:47 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Colorado (25-15-6) at Calgary (26-14-5), 10:00 p.m. EDT

The Calgary Flames have moved into first place in the Northwest Division, but they have yet to pick up any points against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Flames look to avoid a sixth straight loss to the Avalanche when the teams meet at Pengrowth Saddledome on Monday night.

Calgary (26-14-5) moved into sole possession of first place in the Northwest following a 3-2 shootout win over Vancouver on Saturday, and improved to 8-5-1 against its own division.

None of those wins, however, have come against Colorado, which is tied with Vancouver, one point behind the Flames. The Avalanche (25-15-6) are the only team in the division Calgary has been unable to pick up any points against. It also hasn't beaten Minnesota, but did get one point in an overtime loss.

All three games between the Avalanche and Flames have been decided by 3-2 scores.

"We all know the importance of it," Calgary captain Jarome Iginla said of his team's struggles against the Avalanche.

Iginla has two goals against Colorado this season, but he's been in a bit of a slump recently, going the last three games without a point. He hasn't had a four-game pointless stretch since Nov. 29-Dec. 6, 2005.

Despite no production from their captain, the Flames rebounded from back-to-back losses Saturday. Jamie Lundmark scored the tying goal in regulation and added the deciding tally in the third round of the shootout one day after he was called up from the AHL.

Calgary outshot the Canucks 40-21 en route to its sixth win in eight games.

"It was important to get our game back to where we like after not playing up to our standards," coach Brent Sutter said. "We played with an energy level I like to see."

Miikka Kiprusoff made 19 saves after giving up four goals in a loss to Minnesota in his previous start. Kiprusoff, who was distracted by a laser pointer throughout the game, hasn't defeated the Avalanche since Nov. 20, 2008 - Calgary's last win in the series.

Colorado avoided a third straight loss with a 4-3 shootout victory at Buffalo on Saturday. Matt Duchene scored twice in the first period and fellow rookie Brandon Yip made it 3-1 at the end of the second, but Buffalo rallied in the third. Matt Hendricks scored the deciding goal in the 11th round of the shootout.

"It says a lot about the character of our team," the 18-year-old Duchene said. "We never got down, and it was a good effort by us."

Yip has five goals and three assists in his first 10 NHL games.

Colorado played without captain Adam Foote, who returned to Denver after injuring his ankle during the second period in Friday's loss to Carolina. Coach Joe Sacco said that Foote's injury was not as bad as originally thought, and is hoping the defenseman is back skating in a few days.

Craig Anderson made 32 saves, improving to 5-1-0 in his last seven road starts. He has started all three games against the Flames this season, posting a .933 save percentage.

Facing the Flames could help Wojtek Wolski snap out of his slump. Wolski, tied for the team lead with 15 goals, has gone six games without a point, matching a career high.

Wolski has two goals and two assists against the Flames this season.