John-Michael Liles News

The Avalanche didn't give their fans much to cheer about on home ice last year, but there is plenty of early-season buzz at the Pepsi Center now.

Marek Svatos, right, tangles with Oilers center Andrew Cogliano during the first period.

Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles didn't return to the game after suffering a shoulder injury late in the first period of what turned out to be Colorado's 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks Friday night.

Chris Stewart scored in the eighth round of the shootout, helping the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche remain unbeaten at home with a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

The Avalanche will be without the services of rookie T.J. Galiardi for four to six weeks.

Second only to victories are the number of injuries piling up for the Avalanche.

The beginning of the season, which featured 11 of 15 games on the road, is over for the upstart Colorado Avalanche.

Calgary is now riding a three-game winning streak and has looked good during it.

Ryane Clowe potted his first goal of the season and collected an assist on Dany Heatley's game-winning tally in the third period, as the San Jose Sharks cooled off the surging Colorado Avalanche, 3-1, at HP Pavilion.

The Colorado Avalanche will try to extend the best start in franchise history tonight against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion.

Avalanche coach Joe Sacco confirmed Tuesday that backup goalie Peter Budaj, who missed his scheduled first start of the season Friday because of illness, has been diagnosed with swine flu, the H1N1 virus.

Craig Anderson stopped 25 shots for his second shutout of the season, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.

After the Avalanche morning skate today at Rexall Place, Colorado coach Joe Sacco confirmed that backup goalie Peter Budaj, who missed his scheduled first start of the season last Friday because of illness, has been diagnosed with swine flu, or the H1N1 virus.

Colorado Avalanche Paul Stastny celebrates scoring a second period goal with teammates John-Michael Liles and Milan Hejduk over the Vancouver Canucks in their NHL ice hockey game in Denver October 3, 2009.

The resurgent Colorado Avalanche found themselves at a surprising 4-1-1 record, with the powerplay atop the league at a 38.4 percent success rate .

Heading into the season, Colorado had a complete log jam at the defense position.

Ryan O'Reilly's first NHL goal with 6:13 remaining in the third period proved to be the difference, as the Colorado Avalanche spoiled Montreal's 100th home opener with a 3-2 win over the Canadiens at Bell Centre.

Toronto are penning one of the ugliest chapters in their long NHL existence after a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche consigned the winless Maple Leafs to their worst start to a season since 1991.

They've tried benchings, bag skates and callups, while burning through three goaltenders in two weeks.

The surprising Colorado Avalanche will shoot for a third consecutive victory tonight when they visit the struggling Montreal Canadiens in the home opener for the Habs at the Bell Centre.