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Free-falling Avalanche battle Blue Jackets in Columbus

Feb 11, 2011 - 5:39 PM (Sports Network) - The Avalanche draw the perfect opponent tonight as they look to stop their current free fall and get back into the playoff race.

Colorado, losers of a season-high five straight, seeks a seventh straight victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets this evening in a matchup at Nationwide Arena that will feature the season debut of Avs forward Peter Forsberg.

The Avalanche have lost each game of their current slide in regulation for their longest losing streak since an eight-game rut from March 15-April 1, 2009. They are also just 1-7 over their past eight games and are now tied for 13th in the Western Conference with 56 points, seven back of the eight spot.

Columbus is one point ahead of Colorado in the standings, but has been outscored 26-9 over the last six meetings, failing to score more than two goals in any of the losses. The Avalanche have recorded a pair of 5-1 victories over the Blue Jackets this season, with their win at Nationwide Arena on Nov. 12 marking the third straight and eighth in their last 12 trips to Ohio.

Peter Budaj has started both games in net for Colorado, halting 61-of-63 shots faced and will get the call tonight after relieving Craig Anderson in Wednesday's 3-2 setback in Minnesota. Budaj, who made seven saves, is 7-4-0 with a 2.21 goals-against average in his career versus Columbus.

Anderson was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shots faced and lost his sixth game in a row. David Jones scored both goals for the Avalanche.

"All the games are important from here on out," said Colorado head coach Joe Sacco, whose club has lost the first two contests of a four-game road swing. "The entire Western Conference is very tight and we can't slip any further."

Adam Foote missed the game with a bruised leg and is questionable for tonight, while both Kyle Cumiskey (head) and T.J. Galiardi (wrist) suffered injuries against the Wild are out indefinitely.

However, Forsberg will make his season debut tonight in what will be his first NHL action since the 2008 playoffs. The 37-year-old has missed the last two games due to visa issues after signing with Colorado for the rest of the season on Sunday.

The Blue Jackets had won three straight prior to Wednesday's 3-2 setback to the Sharks. Grant Clitsome and Kristian Huselius scored power-play goals in the first period and Steve Mason made 29 saves.

"It looked like we didn't have the energy in the second and third periods," said Huselius. "When you get tired, you make mental errors, and that's what happened -- we couldn't come back after that."

Mason has been in net for both setbacks to the Avalanche this year and is 2-5-0 with a 3.97 GAA in his career against them.

Columbus has lost four of its last six at home.