Avalanche  3    Blue Jackets  2

Colorado Avalanche (15-9-6) at Columbus Blue Jackets (13-10-5), 7 p.m.

Sports Network | December 5, 2009

(Sports Network) - A pair of struggling teams will try to get back on the right track when the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Colorado Avalanche for tonight's test at Nationwide Arena.

The Avalanche come into tonight having lost two straight and five of their last six contests, while Columbus has dropped two in a row and seven of eight.

Colorado had recorded a point in three straight games (1-0-2) before getting beat in regulation Thursday evening in Pittsburgh. Bill Guerin's power-play goal seven minutes into the third period proved to be the winner for the Penguins as they skated to a 4-1 decision at Mellon Arena. The score was tied at 1-1 after the first period and stayed that way until Guerin's game-winner.

"We played two good periods, but when you get one shot in the third it's going to be tough to manufacture a win," said Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco.

T.J. Galiardi scored a power-play goal for the Avalanche, while Peter Budaj made 29 saves in just his third start of the season. Craig Anderson, Colorado's No. 1 netminder, suffered a neck injury in a loss Wednesday against Florida and is questionable for tonight's test. Anderson is 14-7-5 this season with a 2.65 goals-against average.

Colorado did witness the return of Milan Hejduk to the lineup after the right winger missed the previous three games with a knee injury. Hejduk is the Avs' leading goal-scorer this year with 11 tallies in 25 games.

Tonight marks the fourth stop on a five-game road trip for Colorado, which will close the swing Monday in St. Louis. The Avs are 8-7-4 as the guest this year and have lost five of their last six road games.

Columbus also had a three-game point streak ended its last time out, as the Blue Jackets suffered a 6-3 regulation loss Thursday against visiting Toronto. Jason Blake and Phil Kessel each scored twice to lead the Maple Leafs to victory.

Kristian Huselius, Jason Chimera, and Jan Hejda lit the lamp for the Blue Jackets. Steve Mason was pulled midway through the contest after allowing four goals on 14 shots. Mathieu Garon took over in net and turned aside 9-of-11 shots.

"I have to take responsibility for the way we played today. We knew how dynamic Toronto was offensively and we knew they could do damage off the rush. We were guilty of turning the puck over in the offensive zone and it lead to all the odd man breaks and chances," said Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock.

For Columbus, the loss was a bad way to start a three-game homestand, which will end Wednesday against Florida. The Jackets are 7-3-3 as the host this season and have dropped two of three in the Buckeye State.

Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot (upper body) and winger Raffi Torres (personal) are questionable for tonight's tilt.

Tonight marks the first of four scheduled meetings between Colorado and the Blue Jackets this season. Columbus swept the season series in 2008-09 and has taken six of seven and seven of the last 10 encounters overall. Meanwhile, the Avs have lost four straight at Nationwide Arena.