Eurolanche

Avs look for sixth straight win

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 at home on Nov. 17. Tyler Bozak had a goal and two assists for the Maple Leafs, and P.A. Parenteau scored twice, including the game-winning goal against his old team. Defenseman Erik Johnson scored the lone goal for Colorado.

Maple Leafs team scope: Toronto recalled left wing Rich Clune from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League for the two-game road trip against the Avalanche on Monday and Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. Clune last played for the Maple Leafs for two games in late October. The Maple Leafs did not practice before their flight to Denver on Sunday. Defenseman Stephane Robidas (groin), forward Nick Spaling (upper body), and goalies James Reimer (lower body) and Garret Sparks (lower body) remain out. Toronto has won three of its past five games and has points in each of its past five games (3-0-2), including a 5-0 win at home against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Goalie Jonathan Bernier had his first victory since Apr. 5. He was 0-8-3 this season prior to his win against the Kings, the team that drafted him.

Avalanche team scope: Goalie Reto Berra and eight skaters participated in Colorado's optional practice on Sunday. Forwards Ben Street (chest) and Jesse Winchester (head) and defenseman Brad Stuart (back) remain out. Berra has not played since a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 9. The Avalanche have won five in a row since Berra's last appearance. Semyon Varlamov has been in goal for the winning streak, stopping 177 of 182 shots. "My job is stopping pucks," Varlamov told the Avalanche website. "It doesn't matter how many shots, 15 or 40, you have to try and stop all of them." The Avalanche has outscored its opponents during the winning streak by a combined score of 16-5, including a 5-1 win at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. "We had a tough schedule and our players deserve a lot of credit for it," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said of wins against the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders and Oilers. "It's nice to see them be rewarded by it. They work hard. They believe in themselves. I'm very proud of our players."

-- by Tim Wharnsby for NHL.com --