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Without Sakic, Avalanche go for third straight win

Dec 4, 2008 - 11:24 AM Colorado (12-12-0) at Nashville (12-10-2) 8:00 p.m. EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Facing a six-week stretch without their captain, the Colorado Avalanche hope their recent offensive outburst continues.

Colorado goes for its third straight win without Joe Sakic when it takes on the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Sakic has been plagued with back injuries for much of the season, missing nine of the last 12 games and only playing one complete game during that stretch. It was announced Wednesday the 39-year old center will miss six weeks with a herniated disk in his back, an injury he suffered during a weight room session last month.

The Avalanche have managed just fine without him, going 7-5-0, including a 10-goal outburst over their last two contests.

Wojtek Wolski scored a pair of goals and Marek Svatos had three assists in a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay, a game that saw goaltender Andrew Raycroft make 17 saves in his first start since October 31.

Peter Budaj was back in net on Monday against Minnesota and allowed five goals on just 17 shots, but Paul Stastny had two goals and an assist as the Avs scored four second-period goals and hung on for a 6-5 win.

Nashville backup netminder Pekka Rinne, who improved to 4-0 and registered his first career shutout in a 2-0 win over Buffalo Monday, is expected to get his third start in the last four games according to The Tennessean.

Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont scored goals just 2:33 apart midway through the third period for the Predators, who will be looking to snap a three-game home losing streak.