This is a chance for Chris Osgood to swat away some past demons.
Osgood has lost his last six playoff starts in Denver (1996-2000), but dismisses that as a different era.
"That was a long, long time ago," said Osgood, who has taken over for Dominik Hasek as the Wings' starting goalie. "I just focus on what I'm doing now, focus on playing well."
Osgood has completely outplayed Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore , who arguably came into the series the hotter goaltender.
Incidentally, despite some speculation after Saturday's loss, Theodore will get the start for Colorado in Game 3, according to Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville .
Osgood, who replaced Hasek in Game 4 of the Nashville series, allowed only one goal in the last two games to the Predators.
At 35, Osgood is a different goalie from his earlier battles with the Avalanche.
"I don't think about it (the losing streak)," Osgood said. "I didn't even know about it to be honest. I just play. I don't dwell on the past. It comes with maturity.
"There are a lot of things that happen in the league. Dallas didn't win a playoff series for five seasons, now they're winning and playing great hockey. Each series, each game is different."
? The men between the pipes:
Osgood Theodore
Game 1 21 shots-18 saves 16 shots-12 saves
Game 2 20 shots-19 saves 20 shots-16 saves
Help or hindrance?
A developing story line in this series is whether Peter Forsberg is actually a hindrance to the Avalanche.
The oft-injured Forsberg played all six games in the first-round series against Minnesota. But he pulled a groin muscle during the morning skate before Game 1 and didn't play. He took part in warm-ups for Game 2 before telling the team he wasn't able to play.
Some in the Denver media are saying Forsberg, 36, with his long history of injuries, is becoming too much of a detraction.
Nicklas Lidstrom , a teammate of Forsberg's on many of Sweden's national teams, doesn't believe Forsberg hurts any team.
"He has a lot of character and heart, he wants to play," Lidstrom said. "He really wants to play. It's just a matter of him staying healthy. But he's still a world-class player."
Forsberg skated Monday and said he felt good, but he and the Avalanche stopped short of saying he'd be in the Game 3 lineup.
Getting the last line
As home team the Avalanche have the opportunity for final line changes and likely will get a better matchup for the line centered by Joe Sakic .
A non-factor through two games, the unit of Sakic, Andrew Brunette and a rotating left wing have been outplayed by the Henrik Zetterberg -Pavel Datsyuk -Tomas Holmstrom line.
Sakic's line has rarely had the puck, and has had a difficult time slowing Zetterberg and Datsyuk.
But that could change in Denver.
"The matchups will be different and we'll have to be prepared for that," Brian Rafalski said. "But we'll have to keep playing the same way. They're going to try and jump on us early."
? Static quo for Sakic
Game Min. +/- Shifts Shots FW FL
1 18:21 -2 23 3 6 5
2 16:02 -1 18 3 5 4
Key: FW -- faceoffs won; FL -- faceoffs lost
Free-wheeling Franzen
It's increasingly evident the Avalanche have no answer down low for Johan Franzen, who is becoming the story of the NHL playoffs. Franzen has seven goals in the playoffs but if you go back to the regular season, he has scored 22 goals in his last 25 games.
With Avalanche defenseman Scott Hannan (right foot) still questionable for Game 3, Franzen could further take advantage of a limited Avalanche defense.
"Hopefully I can contribute," Franzen said. "I didn't expect to score five goals in the first two games (of the series). I don't know if anyone can keep that up. We know they'll come out hard in this game."
D?j? vu all over again
Here the Wings go with another 2-0 series lead and seemingly in commanding position.
But just last series Nashville rebounded to win the next two games and even the series. Calgary did so last season in the first round.
The Wings vow this time will be different.
Coach Mike Babcock expects the lesson learned against Nashville to sink in.
"They'll be ready, but I expect us to be ready," Babcock said. "We've already been through this once ... It's so important to get established on the road. We have to be poised and get good goaltending.
"Focus is so important. All you have to do is look at the other playoff series and see how big momentum is. It gets going, and it's difficult to stop."
? Holding serve
Here are recent playoffs series in which the Wings held a 2-0 lead, lost the next two and ultimately ...
Year Opponent Result
2008 Nashville Red Wings in six
2007 Calgary Red Wings in six
2004 Nashville Red Wings in six
2001 Los Angeles Kings in six
1999 Colorado Avalanche in six
Put me in, coach
Kirk Maltby (hamstring) participated in a full-scale practice Monday and declared, "I'm ready to go, I'm feeling good."
Maltby hasn't played in the playoffs, and for the time being, has lost his spot.
Darren Helm has excelled with his speed and steady play at both ends of the rink.
Coach Mike Babcock wouldn't commit to when Maltby will play, but said, "We won't be shy about using him."
Osgood has lost his last six playoff starts in Denver (1996-2000), but dismisses that as a different era.
"That was a long, long time ago," said Osgood, who has taken over for Dominik Hasek as the Wings' starting goalie. "I just focus on what I'm doing now, focus on playing well."
Osgood has completely outplayed Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore , who arguably came into the series the hotter goaltender.
Incidentally, despite some speculation after Saturday's loss, Theodore will get the start for Colorado in Game 3, according to Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville .
Osgood, who replaced Hasek in Game 4 of the Nashville series, allowed only one goal in the last two games to the Predators.
At 35, Osgood is a different goalie from his earlier battles with the Avalanche.
"I don't think about it (the losing streak)," Osgood said. "I didn't even know about it to be honest. I just play. I don't dwell on the past. It comes with maturity.
"There are a lot of things that happen in the league. Dallas didn't win a playoff series for five seasons, now they're winning and playing great hockey. Each series, each game is different."
? The men between the pipes:
Osgood Theodore
Game 1 21 shots-18 saves 16 shots-12 saves
Game 2 20 shots-19 saves 20 shots-16 saves
Help or hindrance?
A developing story line in this series is whether Peter Forsberg is actually a hindrance to the Avalanche.
The oft-injured Forsberg played all six games in the first-round series against Minnesota. But he pulled a groin muscle during the morning skate before Game 1 and didn't play. He took part in warm-ups for Game 2 before telling the team he wasn't able to play.
Some in the Denver media are saying Forsberg, 36, with his long history of injuries, is becoming too much of a detraction.
Nicklas Lidstrom , a teammate of Forsberg's on many of Sweden's national teams, doesn't believe Forsberg hurts any team.
"He has a lot of character and heart, he wants to play," Lidstrom said. "He really wants to play. It's just a matter of him staying healthy. But he's still a world-class player."
Forsberg skated Monday and said he felt good, but he and the Avalanche stopped short of saying he'd be in the Game 3 lineup.
Getting the last line
As home team the Avalanche have the opportunity for final line changes and likely will get a better matchup for the line centered by Joe Sakic .
A non-factor through two games, the unit of Sakic, Andrew Brunette and a rotating left wing have been outplayed by the Henrik Zetterberg -Pavel Datsyuk -Tomas Holmstrom line.
Sakic's line has rarely had the puck, and has had a difficult time slowing Zetterberg and Datsyuk.
But that could change in Denver.
"The matchups will be different and we'll have to be prepared for that," Brian Rafalski said. "But we'll have to keep playing the same way. They're going to try and jump on us early."
? Static quo for Sakic
Game Min. +/- Shifts Shots FW FL
1 18:21 -2 23 3 6 5
2 16:02 -1 18 3 5 4
Key: FW -- faceoffs won; FL -- faceoffs lost
Free-wheeling Franzen
It's increasingly evident the Avalanche have no answer down low for Johan Franzen, who is becoming the story of the NHL playoffs. Franzen has seven goals in the playoffs but if you go back to the regular season, he has scored 22 goals in his last 25 games.
With Avalanche defenseman Scott Hannan (right foot) still questionable for Game 3, Franzen could further take advantage of a limited Avalanche defense.
"Hopefully I can contribute," Franzen said. "I didn't expect to score five goals in the first two games (of the series). I don't know if anyone can keep that up. We know they'll come out hard in this game."
D?j? vu all over again
Here the Wings go with another 2-0 series lead and seemingly in commanding position.
But just last series Nashville rebounded to win the next two games and even the series. Calgary did so last season in the first round.
The Wings vow this time will be different.
Coach Mike Babcock expects the lesson learned against Nashville to sink in.
"They'll be ready, but I expect us to be ready," Babcock said. "We've already been through this once ... It's so important to get established on the road. We have to be poised and get good goaltending.
"Focus is so important. All you have to do is look at the other playoff series and see how big momentum is. It gets going, and it's difficult to stop."
? Holding serve
Here are recent playoffs series in which the Wings held a 2-0 lead, lost the next two and ultimately ...
Year Opponent Result
2008 Nashville Red Wings in six
2007 Calgary Red Wings in six
2004 Nashville Red Wings in six
2001 Los Angeles Kings in six
1999 Colorado Avalanche in six
Put me in, coach
Kirk Maltby (hamstring) participated in a full-scale practice Monday and declared, "I'm ready to go, I'm feeling good."
Maltby hasn't played in the playoffs, and for the time being, has lost his spot.
Darren Helm has excelled with his speed and steady play at both ends of the rink.
Coach Mike Babcock wouldn't commit to when Maltby will play, but said, "We won't be shy about using him."
