Vancouver @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 2, 2019 ) Vancouver 5, Colorado 1

The Colorado Avalanche are in the thick of things for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, climbing back into contention after a lengthy swoon in which they won only five times in 26 games spanning two-plus months. Riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1), Colorado will wrap up a three-game homestand against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night.

The Avalanche had their four-game winning streak snapped after squandering an early two-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to Florida on Monday night, continuing a maddening lack of success in OT. The Avalanche fell to a league-worst 1-12 in overtime, which included a 7-6 loss at Vancouver on Nov. 2. The Canucks are four points behind Colorado after snapping a three-game skid with a 4-0 victory over Anaheim on Monday night. Vancouver beat the Avalanche 5-1 on Feb. 2 for its sixth win in eight meetings overall and fifth victory in the last six trips to Colorado.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Sportnet Pacific (Vancouver), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE CANUCKS (27-28-8): Vancouver had managed only nine goals in its previous six games before Bo Horvat scored twice to establish a career high with 23 tallies as the Canucks posted their first regulation win since the romp in Colorado. "I'm far from the peak of my career," said the 23-year-old Horvat, who has scored at least 20 goals in three straight seasons. "I think I still have a lot of work to do, a lot to improve on and I'm just trying to get better day by day." Jacob Markstrom registered his first shutout of the season Monday and turned away 34 of 35 shots in the last matchup versus the Avalanche.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (27-12-4): Derick Brassard was acquired from Florida and made his Colorado debut against the Panthers, making an early impression by scoring a third-period goal and winning 9 of 12 faceoffs. "I think you are excited because he is a great team guy," said linemate Matt Calvert, who also was a teammate of Brassard when both players were with Columbus. "Great addition for our team, a lot of talent and he is only going to help our playoff chances." The addition of Brassard loomed even larger after the Avalanche learned Monday that forward Matt Nieto (lower body) will miss six to eight weeks.

OVERTIME

1. Canucks F Brock Boeser has three goals and five points in two meetings this season.

2. Avalanche F Mikko Rantanen has points in four straight games to reach 80 for the second consecutive season.

3. Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson has collected six points in both games against Colorado.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Canucks 3