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Canucks trying to end woes against Avalanche

Dec 7, 2008 - 8:51 AM Vancouver (15-10-2) at Colorado (12-13-1), 8:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- A major factor in the Vancouver Canucks not making the playoffs last season was their struggles against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Canucks will try to avoid repeating the same mistake this season when they look snap a seven-game losing streak to the Avalanche on Sunday.

Vancouver, which missed the postseason by three points last campaign, currently holds the top spot in the Northwest Division. But the Canucks have fallen into a slump without starting goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Rotating Curtis Sanford and Cory Schneider, Vancouver has dropped four of its last five contests. The Canucks have also failed to beat Colorado this season, falling, 2-1, in a shootout in their lone meeting with their division rival.

The Avalanche have not lost to Vancouver since suffering a 2-1 overtime loss on November 9, 2007.

Colorado, which is opening a three-game homestand, is hoping a trip back to Denver can help it avoid a third straight loss. The Avalanche dropped a pair of one-goal road decisions to the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars on Thursday and Friday, respectively.