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Avalanche look to move up vs. Kings

Dec 9, 2008 - 11:39 AM Los Angeles (11-11-4) at Colorado (13-13-1) 9:30 p.m. EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche may still be in last place, but at least things are starting to look up.

The Avalanche will be looking for their fourth win in the past six games when they face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

Colorado is 3-1-1 over its last five contests, including a 5-4 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Milan Hejduk collected a goal and two assists in the contest and added the decisive goal in the shootout.

The Avalanche have scored at least four goals in each of their last three wins and Hejduk has six points over that span. Paul Stastny leads the team with 24 points - seven coming in the last four games.

The offense has had to work extra hard lately, however, because top goaltender Peter Budaj has been struggling. The 26-year-old Czech netminder has allowed 13 goals in his last four starts.

The Kings snapped a three-game winless streak on Saturday with a 3-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Goalie Jason LaBarbera notched his second shutout of the season in the win, stopping 23 shots.

The teams have met twice already this season, with the Avalanche taking both meetings, 4-3, though Los Angeles earned a point in the November 22 meeting after falling in a shootout.

Hejduk scored a goal in both contests while left wing Ryan Smyth tallied twice in the first meeting.