There is no goaltending controversy with the Avalanche. Repeat, there is no goaltending controversy.
Despite Jose Theodore winning his third straight start Monday night and having a .946 saves percentage in that time (five goals on 93 shots), Avs coach Joel Quenneville said he expects Theodore and Peter Budaj to still split time equally in net. For now, anyway.
“I think we have a healthy goaltending situation today. I think both guys will probably continue to get an opportunity,” Quenneville said. “It’s too early for us to make a clear decision on that.”
Fleury returns. Theo Fleury, former Avs and Flames winger, was at the game working as a color analyst for a Flames telecast.
Fleury, 39, primarily works at his own concrete company in Calgary, but filled in for regular Flames analyst Charlie Simmer. Fleury left the NHL in 2003 partly because of substance abuse problems.
He said he has his problems under control and is living a comfortable family life. He was all smiles at the game, and mixed amiably with his longtime friend and former teammate, Joe Sakic.
Footnotes. Avs center Brad Richardson still isn’t sure when he will return to the lineup. He has been out all season with a torn wrist tendon. Richardson said he’s feeling close to 100 percent, however. … Quenneville said he’s optimistic defenseman Kar- lis Skrastins (separated shoulder) will return sooner than the one month originally forecast for him to be out. Skrastins suffered the injury Oct. 19. … The Avs’ Wyatt Smith played in his 200th NHL game. … Sakic extended his point streak to eight games with an assist.
