Eurolanche

Avs needs points against Florida

Season series: The Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers split their two-game series last season with each winning on the road. Goals from Brad Boyes, Tomas Kopecky and Jonathan Huberdeau paced the Panthers to a 4-1 win on Nov. 16, 2013 for their first win in Denver since Jan. 2, 2003. Colorado defeated Florida 3-2 at BB&T Center on Jan. 24 behind Ryan O'Reilly's goal and assist. O'Reilly has six points (four goals, two assists) in six career games against Florida and Boyes has 17 points (six goals) in 19 games against Colorado. Though the Panthers are 9-16-3-3 all-time against the Avalanche, they're 5-5-3-2 at Pepsi Center. 

Panthers team scope: The Panthers continue their four-game road trip by opening the Western Conference portion of their schedule. Defense has kept them competitive with their 2.0 goals against per game tied for ninth in the NHL after finishing 29th (3.20) last season. Offense, however, has been a problem. Florida has a League-low five goals in five games one season after finishing 29th in goals (196) and goals per game (2.29). Center Dave Bolland (lower body) will miss his second straight game. Brandon Pirri, who made his season debut Saturday, skated in Bolland's place between Tomas Fleischmann and Jussi Jokinen at practice Monday and will remain in the lineup. Goalie Roberto Luongo is expected to start after Al Montoya played in a 2-1 shootout loss Saturday to the Washington Capitals. Luongo is 19-15-5 with three shutouts in 39 games against the Avalanche. 

Avalanche team scope: Colorado received good news at practice Monday when coach Patrick Roy announced goalie Semyon Varlamov (groin) will be "ready to go" Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Backup goalie Reto Berra (neck) practiced at full strength and could go Tuesday. "We'll see [Tuesday] morning how he feels," Roy told the Avalanche's website. "If he feels the same [Tuesday], he'll play." Colorado has been outscored 20-9 and returns home after a 1-2-1 road trip that ended with consecutive losses at the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. "I think we have to find what could be the difference between losing by one goal and winning by one goal," Roy said. "I think it’s just a matter of time. If we continue to work … like we did [Monday], I think we'll be just fine." Forward Jesse Winchester (concussion) skated Monday wearing a non-contact jersey and is questionable, according to the Denver Post.

-by Jon Lane for NHL.com-