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Avalanche hope break leads to regaining home success

Jan 30, 2008 - 3:04 PM Chicago (23-23-4) at Colorado (26-20-4) 9:30 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) - The Colorado Avalanche have stumbled at home recently and are hoping the All-Star break will be just what they needed.

The Avalanche bring a 17-8-1 home record into Wednesday's game with Chicago, but are just 2-5-1 at the Pepsi Center in their last eight home games. Colorado is 0-for-24 on the power play in the eight games with only 13 goals.

The Avalanche were without the services of All-Star Paul Stastny (appendectomy), Joe Sakic (hernia) and Ryan Smyth (broken right ankle) in their last game before the break, a 3-2 home loss to Minnesota on Thursday. Sakic and Smyth are not expected to return until March.

The game is the first of a season-high, seven-game road trip for the Blackhawks. Chicago is coming off a 1-0 home loss to Columbus on Thursday.

"To gain an inch in this league, you've got to want it and want to work," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "You might get a cut. You might get bruised. So what? Last time I checked, you're getting pretty good money to do it. And they don't want to do it. It's as simple as that."

Chicago has dropped 10 of its last 14 games, falling into last place in the Central Division. The Blackhawks are 10-10-3 on the road and won't return home until a game with Colorado on February 17.

Chicago has won both games with the Avalanche this season. Backup goaltender Peter Budaj, who hasn't started a game since January 2, has won his last three starts against the Blackhawks.