NHL Preview: Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Oct 13, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda (8) and left wing Jamie McGinn (11) react after a goal during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche finally got their first win of the 2014-15′ regular season Monday afternoon, defeating the Boston Bruins on the road, 2-1. Tonight they continue their four-game road trip, stopping in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs who currently hold the same record of (1-2-0, 2 points).

If it weren’t for Daniel Briere‘s late heroics, scoring the puck past Niklas Svedberg with 0.5 seconds remaining; who knows if the Avs’ would be heading into tonight’s action with two points. Jamie McGinn recorded Colorado’s first goal of the season in the second period Monday, snapping a seven period scoreless streak.

What: NHL Regular Season Preview: Avalanche (1-2-0, 2 points) vs. Maple Leafs (1-2-0, 2 points)
When: Tuesday, October 14th
Where: Air Canada Centre (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Time: 7:30 PM EST, 5:30 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

Good news for the Colorado Avalanche is that they have won their last games while visiting the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Although Semyon Varlamov is starting tonight, Reto Berra put on a show against Boston. The 27-year-old who was acquired from the Calgary Flames stopped 27-of-28 shot attempts, picking up his first win of the season. Varly enters tonight’s game with an 0-2 record, supporting a 4.32 goals against average.

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One thing Colorado has struggled at so far in the early goings is capitalizing on the power-play. The team enters Tuesday night’s contest going 0-for-10 on the advantage — which isn’t good. Colorado was one of the better teams in the league last season on the power-play, ranking fifth in the NHL at 19.8%.

We will see if players such as Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, and Jarome Iginla can get into the point column. Reigning rookie of the year Nathan MacKinnon recorded a point in Monday’s game, collecting an assist on Briere’s game-winner.

Like Colorado, Toronto lost their first two meetings before earning a victory in their third contest. Their top line consisting of Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, and Tyler Bozak each collected a goal in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers.

Puck-drop between the Avs’ and Maple Leafs is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST, 5:30 PM MST.