Eurolanche

Avs try to cool off Flames

Season series: This is the first of three games between the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames this season. The Avalanche won two of three last season. Nathan MacKinnon led the way for Colorado with three goals and an assist. Jiri Hudler had a goal and four assists for the Flames.

Avalanche team scope: The Avalanche enter Thursday tied with the Dallas Stars for last place in the Central Division. Colorado has nine wins and 23 points through the first 25 games of the season. Despite coming off a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, Colorado does have wins in three of its past five games. The Avalanche should get a boost from the expected return of starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who's been out since Nov. 15 with a groin injury. "It's nice to have him back," coach Patrick Roy told the team website. "There's nine games before Christmas, and it would be nice for us to get on a roll." Varlamov said he's ready to play. "I feel really good. I don't have any problems in my groins anymore. The pain is gone." Longtime Flames captain Jarome Iginla will be returning to Calgary for just the second time since he was traded late in the 2013-14 season. "I think it will always be special for me," said Iginla, who holds the franchise records for goals (525), points (1,095) and games played (1,219). "Lot of good memories for me there and [I've] been very fortunate to live there a long time. Always going back there and playing there, I think, will be special,"

Flames team scope: The surging Flames continue to surprise in the Western Conference. Calgary has won three straight games, including back-to-back victories against the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames have won four of five games and seven of the past nine; they are third in the Pacific Division. Coach Bob Hartley is seeking his 400th NHL victory. "The only things that wins in the regular season means for a coach, for a player, it allows you to have a chance to have been in the playoffs," Hartley said Wednesday. "My goal right now and our team goal is we want to be a playoff team so the more wins we're going to get, it's going to give us a chance to be in the playoffs and the only thing that matters to me right now." Goaltender Karri Ramo, who was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week on Monday, is expected to make his fourth consecutive start and is riding a personal five-game winning streak. "A few wins in a row feels good," Ramo said. "I don't know if it's anything special. It's a good run and hopefully we can keep it going."

-by Aaron Vickers for NHL-