• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Avalanche looking to end five-game skid vs. Red Wings

Mar 4, 2009 - 11:24 AM Detroit (42-14-8) at Colorado (28-35-1), 9:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche are hoping to avoid a season-worst sixth consecutive loss when they host the defending champion Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

The Avalanche, who were eliminated by the Red Wings in the last season's playoffs, currently own the worst record in the Western Conference. Detroit, meanwhile, trails the San Jose Sharks by one point for the top spot in the West.

Ryan Smyth netted a pair of goals against his former team on Monday as Colorado suffered a 4-2 setback to the New York Islanders. The Avalanche, who returned home after a season-long, six-game road trip, have been outscored by a 23-8 margin over their slide.

Chris Osgood made 22 saves to record his first shutout of the season as the Red Wings cruised to a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday after Marian Hossa left the game on a stretcher early in the first period.

Hossa, who leads the club with 34 goals this campaign, was taken off the ice at 5:24 after a collision with Blues defenseman Roman Polak sent the four-time All-Star sliding into the boards headfirst.

The 30-year-old Hossa, who had missed the previous two contests with a neck injury, remained on the ice for several minutes with many of his teammates gathered around him. Hossa is expected to travel with the team to Denver, but he is not likely to play.