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Theodore makes return to Montreal for Avalanche

Oct 21, 2006 - 2:17 PM Colorado (3-2-2) at Montreal (3-1-2) 7:00 pm EDT

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Coming off a solid victory over the Ottawa Senators, Jose Theodore will carry a dose of momentum against his former team.

Theodore is expected to be in goal to oppose the Montreal Canadiens for the first time when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday in their only encounter of the season.

The Hart and Vezina Trophy winner in 2001-2002, Theodore won 141 games for the Canadiens before he fractured his heel in January. He was traded to Colorado for David Aebischer on March 8.

The 30-year-old Theodore made 26 saves en route to his third victory with the Avalanche and Brad Richardson scored his second shorthanded goal in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Senators.

Captain Joe Sakic netted his third tally of the campaign in the second period. The former Hart and Lady Byng Trophy winner has 577 goals - the 17th-highest total in league history - and 1,495 points, good for 11th all-time.

After winning three of their previous four games, the Canadiens suffered their first regulation loss in Chicago since 1999 with Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to the Blackhawks.

Chris Higgins scored his fourth goal of the season late in the first period for Montreal, which failed to score on six power-play attempts.

Marek Svatos and Ian Lapierrere netted tallies for the Avalanche in their most recent matchup against the Canadiens, a 2-1 triumph on January 11.