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Devils face Avalanche in rare interconference clash

Mar 15, 2008 - 10:50 AM New Jersey (40-23-6) at Colorado (39-27-6) 3:00 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Two division leaders will face off at the Pepsi Center Saturday, when the New Jersey Devils visit the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado has won eight of its last nine games (8-1-0) to move into first place in the Northwest Division. The Avalanche are two points ahead of both Minnesota (37-26-8) and Calgary (36-25-10).

It has been a surprising run for Colorado, which has been hit hard by injuries. Captain Joe Sakic and All-Star center Paul Stastny have missed large parts of the season, while left wing Ryan Smyth (concussion, shoulder) and center Peter Forsberg (groin) currently are sidelined.

On Thursday, Sakic and Stastny each had an assist as the Avalanche posted a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Smyth, who has missed 27 games, may suit up against the Atlantic Division-leading Devils.

New Jersey, which has won four of its last five, is one point ahead of Pittsburgh (40-24-7), Ottawa (40-25-7) and Montreal (39-24-9) for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Captain Jamie Langenbrunner scored the lone goal in the shootout as New Jersey posted a 4-3 win over Minnesota on Thursday. Dainius Zubrus, defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski and Brian Gionta tallied in regulation for the Devils.

New Jersey has not played in Colorado since skating to a 1-1 tie on November 30, 2003. Colorado won the last meeting between the teams, 4-3, in a shootout on December 9, 2005.