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Avalanche seek to continue mastery of Blue Jackets

Nov 1, 2006 - 4:26 PM Colorado (5-4-2) at Columbus (3-5-1) 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche seek to continue their domination of the Columbus Blue Jackets when the teams meet on Wednesday.

Colorado is 18-1-1 against the Blue Jackets, outscoring them, 81-26.

The Avalanche handed the Minnesota Wild only their second regulation loss of the season last Sunday. Goaltender Jose Theodore, who was benched for Colorado's previous two games, rebounded with a sterling effort against Minnesota, stopping 20-of-21 shots.

Milan Hejduk led Colorado with two goals while John-Michael Liles had three assists. Hejduk has gotten off to a solid start with six goals and five assists in 11 games.

The Blue Jackets, who have been slumping lately in losing four of their last five, try to rebound from a 1-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Columbus outshot the Devils, 22-21, but was blanked in four power-play opportunities. Blue Jackets netminder Pascal Leclaire stopped 20 shots on Saturday.

Both teams have struggled on the power play. The Avalanche are 13-for-70, (18.6 percent) while the Blue Jackets have gone 10-for-62 (16.1 percent).