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Desperate Avalanche host Red Wings

Apr 29, 2008 - 1:54 PM Detroit at Colorado 10:00 pm EDT Western Conference semifinals Red Wings lead, 2-0

DENVER (Ticker) - The Colorado Avalanche are hoping that a couple days off and a change of location will help reverse their fortunes.

With their Western Conference semifinal series heading to Denver, the Avalanche attempt dig out of a two-games-to-none hole when they host the rival Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

The top-seeded Red Wings had little trouble taking a commanding lead in the series Saturday when Johan Franzen's hat trick led the Presidents' Trophy winners to a 5-1 victory over the sixth-seeded Avalanche.

Franzen, who notched 27 goals and 38 points during the regular season, is having an excellent series. Only two games in, the 28-year-old Swede collected five tallies and one assist.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is aware that his club cannot relax.

"All we have to do is go back to the last series," he said. "We were in the same scenario, and we went to Nashville and didn't win a game (until the clinching Game Six)."

"They played two games on the road. They've got two in their building now," Zetterberg added. "I think they'll refocus and play good, solid games at home. We have to play good road games. ... It'll be tough because they play real good at home."

Ian Laperriere netted the lone goal for the Avalanche, who have failed to defeat the Red Wings in six meetings this season.

"I don't think we need to say too much," Laperriere said. "We've got to go out and do it. The good thing is, we're going back home. Hopefully, we'll get a boost from that."

"We'll get to regroup after a tough couple games here," said Colorado coach Joel Quenneville, whose team was without injured regulars Peter Forsberg, Wojtek Wolski and defenseman Scott Hannan on Saturday. "Hopefully, going home and having a couple days (off) will give us some momentum. Just winning Game Three is our objective."

Forsberg, who has not played in the series because of a nagging groin injury, may attempt to take the ice in this one.

Whether Forsberg plays or not, Avalanche left wing Ryan Smyth knows his club needs to turn the tide in the series or it will be over quickly.

"We've got to find ways to get a break, whatever it is," Smyth said. "A big save, a big goal, a big hit, whatever we need to change the momentum. We've got to get it back, and hopefully we can get it in Game Three."