Avalanche coach Joe Sacco put his players through a modest workout Tuesday, a day after the team etched itself in three unwanted chapters of an otherwise proud record book.
The time for “bag-skating the boys” after a bad loss was deemed unnecessary for a group that has lost eight consecutive games — the most since the franchise moved to Colorado in 1995.
“My job is to make sure everybody is pulling together in the same direction, and we don’t have guys going in one direction and (others) in another direction,” Sacco said. “(My job) is making sure players understand their roles and what it takes to win. Once we get that first win, we’ll certainly feel a lot better.”
Individual confidence and trust in one another hit a season low in Monday’s 9-1 loss to the Calgary Flames — the worst loss since the franchise has been called the Avalanche, although the 1989-90 Quebec Nordiques hold the franchise mark with a 12-2 defeat to the Washington Capitals — so Tuesday was a time to talk positive and confront the pain that seemingly everyone on the team is feeling.
The nine goals allowed also was an Avalanche record. Again, the Nordiques did worse, allowing double figures in goals numerous times in their NHL history.
“We’re all in this together right now, and obviously we need to win to feel better about ourselves,” Sacco said regarding what he told his team in a center-ice meeting at the conclusion of practice. “The message was that no one should feel like they’re on an island, isolated by themselves. We’re all in this together.”
Sacco and his two assistants broke from the meeting to allow 25-year-old center and assistant captain Paul Stastny to lead a players-only conversation. The team’s two veteran leaders, captain Adam Foote and assistant captain Milan Hejduk, did not practice.
“I just told them to stay positive, nothing too important, just something to where the guys can keep their heads up,” Stastny said. “Someone has to step up, and whether it’s me or someone else, these things need to be said. At a time like this, guys get down and tend to be quiet and let things build up inside. You just have to keep people loose at times like these.”
The Avs will be looking for their first victory since Jan. 24 tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pepsi Center. While the Penguins will be without injured stars Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (knee), Colorado might play without second-year center Matt Duchene, who suffered a hand injury against Calgary and did not practice Tuesday.
Duchene leads the team with 21 goals and 47 points. He has not missed a game this season.
“He’s being examined as we speak right now,” Sacco said after practice. “I’ll know more in the morning, but right now we’ll just list him as day to day.”
The Penguins have scored 173 goals, second most in the Eastern Conference, and as of Tuesday were in the No. 4 playoff spot.
A handful of Avs were asked about the Penguins, but the focus remained internal.
“We’re looking forward to the game (tonight), but for us, it’s about what we do,” said Avs defenseman John-Michael Liles, who was minus-6 against the Flames. “It’s about getting back to how we play, our identity as a team, and playing with that confidence, that little bit of swagger.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Pittsburgh at Colorado
7 p.m. tonight, ALT, 1510 AM, 93.7 FM
Spotlight on Brett Sterling: The former Colorado College star has been an excellent recent addition for the banged- up Penguins. In three games with the club, Sterling, 26, has two goals, and tonight he is expected to play left wing on the second line with center Jordan Staal and Nick Johnson in his first NHL game at the Pepsi Center.
Penguins: In addition to being without superstar centers Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (knee) and at least three other regulars, fourth-leading scorer Chris Kunitz (lower body) and Arron Asham (upper body) are questionable. Crosby hasn’t played since Jan. 5. . . . Former Avs coach Tony Granato is in his second season as an assistant for the Penguins. Granato watched Peter Forsberg’s retirement news conference Monday and compared the former Avs center to Crosby. Forsberg “competed as hard as any player I’ve seen up until Sid,” Granato said. . . . The Penguins have been outscored 14-6 during a two-game losing streak.
Avalanche: Coach Joe Sacco said he will name tonight’s starting goalie this morning. Sacco said captain Adam Foote, who has missed the past four games with a leg injury, needs another “seven to 10 days” to heal. . . . Wingers Brandon Yip (rest) and Milan Hejduk (slight illness) didn’t practice Tuesday but will play tonight. . . . Rookie defenseman Cameron Gaunce, who appeared to suffer a serious foot injury Monday, has only a bruise. . . . Center Mark Olver has been recalled from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League. Olver began the season with the Avs, producing two assists in four games.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
