If the Avalanche is to get back to winning ways tonight, it will have to beat the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and American Olympic hero, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, to do it.
“He’s obviously one of the best in the game,” said Avs defender John-Michael Liles, a teammate of Miller’s at Michigan State and a close friend. “I’ve got no goals against him so far in the NHL, though, so you’d like to get one. But he’s a guy that gives them a chance to win every night, so we’ll have our work cut out for us.”
The Avs, 1-4-1 in their last six, will start Peter Budaj in net against the Sabres. Avs coach Joe Sacco will play six defensemen against Buffalo, while David Koci will be a healthy scratch among the forwards.
Sacco wasn’t all that pleased with his team’s start to Sunday’s game against Vancouver and wants improvement tonight.
“The key for us will be to come out with a lot of emotion, a lot of energy,” Sacco said. “It’s a game of passion. We’re playing against a team that’s not in our conference, not in our division, but yet it’s a very important game.”
Liles hosted a gathering of several former Michigan State teammates last summer in Denver, including Miller.
“He’s obviously a close friend of mine and a lot of us still get together usually over the summer,” Liles said. “He’s a great guy, really smart and knows the game well.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
