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Avs try to extend superb road start in Calgary

Oct 26, 2011 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The best road start in franchise history has helped make the Colorado Avalanche the surprise front-runners in the Northwest Division.

The Avs look to take it a step further and match the longest road winning streak in team annals this evening as they open up division play against the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome.

Colorado has finished with under 70 points in two of the past three seasons, including just 68 a year ago. That was the club's lowest point total since relocating from Quebec prior to the 1995-96 season.

The Avalanche are putting that dismal finish in the rearview so far this year, opening up the season with six straight victories on the road. That record start is also the team's longest winning streak as the guest since logging six straight wins from Jan. 19-March 11, 2002 and is one shy of the franchise record of seven consecutive road victories set from Jan. 10-Feb. 7, 1999.

"I don't think there's any reason for it or anyone knows why we do so well on the road," forward Daniel Winnik said. "It's so early in the season, we've only had two home games so hopefully when we get a long homestand we'll play the same way as we do on the road."

After losing for the second time in as many home games this year on Thursday to the Blackhawks, Colorado responded with a 5-4 shootout victory in Chicago on Saturday. Semyon Varlamov stopped all three skaters he faced and Joakim Lindstrom secured the extra point with a goal as Colorado's third skater.

Rookie Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals, including the tying tally with 1:48 left in regulation, and the second overall pick of the 2011 draft has five points through eight games. Linemate Ryan O'Reilly added a pair of assists and leads Colorado with seven points, all helpers.

The line of Landeskog, O'Reilly and Winnik was a combined plus-five versus the Blackhawks.

"He's unbelievable," defenseman Shane O'Brien said of Landeskog. "That whole line's been great but for 18 years old, he's a great kid and he's got a bright future. I told one of my buddies he's going to be the best forward in five years and it might not even take that long."

Colorado will play its first division game of the season tonight and has lost five straight and seven of its past eight meetings with Calgary. That includes a setback in its last two trips to the Saddledome.

The Flames will look to extend its series winning streak over the Avs and get its six-game homestand on the right track. Calgary was blanked by Nashville 2-0 on Saturday to fall to 1-1-1 so far on the residency.

Calgary lost for the fifth time in seven games this season despite outshooting Nashville 33-14. Miikka Kiprusoff ended with 12 saves.

"Overall we had enough chances to win tonight, and with this team it's always a tight game. We gave them two odd-man rushes and they scored both times," Flames forward Olli Jokinen said.

The Flames looked to have evened the game in the second period, but Tim Jackman had a goal waived off because it was ruled that Tom Kostopoulos had interfered with Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Still, the Flames aren't getting frustrated by their slow start and don't think they need to change much other than cashing in on their opportunities.

"It's important to get points whenever you play at home and it's frustrating when you lose games where you feel like you should have won, but saying that I think we're going in the right direction," said defenseman Mark Giordano. "I think the last couple games have been solid for our team and I think now the next step is getting those wins."

Forward Curtis Glencross did not skate on Tuesday due to lower-body soreness and is day-to-day. He is expected to be a game-time decision tonight.