Joe Sakic has had goal-scoring droughts before, and his solution to getting out of them has always been the same: Keep firing that puck.
“Hopefully, some of them start going in,” said the Avalanche’s 38-year-old captain.
Sakic has one goal in his past 11 games, and none in his past six. It hasn’t been for lack of trying, however. Colorado’s all-time leading scorer is averaging five shots on goal in his past five contests, including one game with eight and two others with seven.
Overall, Sakic has five goals and 17 points in 16 games. Those are solid statistics, but three of his goals came in one game.
“As long as the chances are there, like I said, hopefully I’ll start burying a few,” Sakic said.
The Avs are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to Vancouver on Friday night, in which Sakic assisted on the team’s goal. But he had only one shot on net, as a stifling Vancouver checking attack limited the Avs to few good chances overall.
Goals don’t figure to come any easier tonight, as the Avs host the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. It will be the Avalanche’s fifth consecutive game against a Northwest Division opponent and part of 10 of 11 games overall.
“These division games are all huge four-point games, and we just need to keep trying to get as many points as we can,” Avs defenseman Kurt Sauer said.
Veterans honored. The Avalanche will have several festivities to honor veterans at tonight’s game.
They will begin with a pregame check presentation where proceeds from the Burgundy and White Game, played in September, will be presented to Home Front Cares, Inc., on behalf of the Air Force Academy and the Avalanche.
Avalanche anthem singer Jake Schroeder will be joined on ice by a color guard and rifle team from Evergreen American Legion Post 2001. In addition, uniformed veterans representing World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan theaters will be standing alongside the color guard during the playing of the national anthem, which will be followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps.”
In conjunction with The Greatest Generations Foundation, a Denver-based nonprofit organization dedicated to returning veterans to their battlefields, the Avalanche will formally recognize a group of 70 veterans representing American military theaters of operation who will be in attendance. Additional veterans among the fans in attendance will also receive special recognition.
Fans entering the Pepsi Center through the Grand Atrium will be greeted by veterans from The Greatest Generations Foundation and a fully restored vintage World War II jeep.
Veterans representing U.S. theaters of operation include:
* Bill Brunger (U.S. Army) from the 75th Infantry Division representing WWII veterans.
* Max Brown (U.S. Marine Corps) from the 1st Marine Division representing Korean War veterans.
* Stan Kleibenstien (U.S. Army) from the 4th infantry, 1st battalion representing Vietnam veterans.
* PFC Vinny Veruchi (U.S. Marine Corps) from the 1st battalion 6th, Marines Civil Affairs unit & Max 23 representing veterans from Iraqi and Afghanistan theaters.
MINNESOTA AT COLORADO
6 p.m. tonight, ALT, KKFN 950 AM
Spotlight on Derek Boogaard: Checking in at 6-feet-7 and 258 pounds, Boogaard is one of the NHL’s biggest players. He is the Wild’s enforcer, and one of the better ones in the league. He and his brother, Aaron, run the Derek and Aaron Boogaard Fighting Camp, in Regina, Saskatchewan – a source of some controversy there.
NOTEBOOK
Avalanche: The Avs are expected to start Peter Budaj in goal tonight. Budaj beat Minnesota in his last start against the Wild, at the Pepsi Center. … The Avalanche won’t play again until Friday, at Dallas. … Defenseman Karlis Skrastins (separated shoulder) is getting close to a return to the lineup, but isn’t expected to play tonight.
Wild: Star forward Marian Gaborik is questionable to play tonight, because of lingering groin problems. Gaborik missed the Wild’s last game, and also missed Minnesota’s last game against the Avalanche. Another Wild forward, Pavol Demitra, did not make the trip to Denver because of a groin injury.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
