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Stastny, Smyth lead Avalanche into Edmonton

Oct 23, 2007 - 1:24 PM Colorado (4-4-0) at Edmonton (3-5-0) 9:30 pm EDT

EDMONTON, Alberta (Ticker) -- Paul Stastny is turning into a superstar. Ryan Smyth is an established NHL veteran. Both have something to play for on Tuesday.

Stastny will look to continue his scoring tear as Smyth attempts to fight back tears when the Colorado Avalanche visit the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

The Avalanche have dropped two games in a row to fall back to .500. Poor goaltending and defense has been a theme for the club all season, as Colorado netminders have yielded less than three goals in just two of their eight contests.

But Stastny, who is currently tied for second in the NHL with 14 points, has kept the offense in high gear. The second-year center, who scored 78 points in his rookie campaign, averaged a point a game in eight contests against the Northwest Division rival Oilers in 2006-07.

Smyth was a first-round pick by Edmonton - sixth overall - in 1994 and stayed with the franchise for the first 11 1/2 season of his career before being traded to the New York Islanders at the deadline last season. Smyth cried at the press conference after the trade and has not played in Edmonton since.

Smyth should be in store for a huge ovation from the crowd, as he was one of the most popular players in franchise history. Smyth, who signed a five-year contract with the Avalanche in the offseason, has eight points so far for his new team.

While Colorado lights up the scoreboard to the tune of 3.25 goals per game, the Oilers lack the same sort of offensive punch, scoring more than two goals in just three of their eight contests this season.

The Avalanche won the season series last year, going 4-3-1 against Edmonton.