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Avalanche hope to build off strong homestand

Dec 31, 2008 - 2:34 PM Colorado (19-6-1) at Phoenix (17-15-5), 8:00 p.m. EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Even without the services of Paul Stastny and captain Joe Sakic, the Colorado Avalanche have generated some much-needed momentum.

After winning three in a row at home, the injury-bitten Avalanche visit the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday.

Colorado capped its successful homestand with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday.

Its last two wins have come without Stastny, who is out at least six weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his fractured right forearm. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during last Tuesday's 5-4 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Stastny had registered 10 goals and 21 assists in 34 games this season, his third with the Avalanche.

Meanwhile, Sakic remains sidelined until March after injuring his left hand in a snow blower accident in the beginning of December.

Despite the absence of two key players, the Avalanche are riding their longest winning streak of the season since skating to five straight victories from October 16-25.

Phoenix is coming off a 4-0 setback to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, and has dropped three of four overall.

The Coyotes are in a stretch of playing six of seven contests at home, where they are 11-5-2 this season.