Stanley Cups: 2

2011-'12 record: 41-35-4-2, 88 points (3rd in Northwest, 11th in West)

2011-'12 playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Joe Sacco (114-109-23, 4th NHL year, 1st team)

Top returning scorer: C Ryan O’Reilly (18 goals, 37 assists, 55 points)

Top returning goalie: Semyon Varlamov (26-24-3, 2.59, .913)

Key additions: RW P.A. Parenteau; C John Mitchell; D Greg Zanon.

Key subtractions: C Jay McClement; C Peter Mueller; C Kevin Porter.

Goaltending: Just 24, Varlamov has already played 19 Stanley Cup games and led the NHL with two playoff shutouts in 2009. He’s also been part of the Russian Olympic team. In former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere, he has a veteran sounding board backing him up during times of internal strife.

Player to watch: C Michael Sgarbossa. A 47-goal scorer last season with the OHL Sudbury Wolves, Sgarbossa has been lighting it up as a rookie with AHL Lake Erie this season, producing 13-15-28 numbers in 34 games. Undrafted prospect is a heady player who led the OHL with 102 points last season.

Icing: In the midst of a contract squabble with the club, restricted free agent O’Reilly has threatened to stay with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the KHL club he played for during the lockout . . . Avs, who finished first nine straight seasons from 1994-95 through 2002-03, haven’t made the playoffs in the last two seasons and four of the last six campaigns . . . Only 20, F Gabriel Landeskog is the NHL’s youngest captain.

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS ATLANTIC Devils Flyers Islanders Penguins Rangers CENTRAL Blackhawks Blue Jackets Blues Predators Red Wings NORTHEAST Bruins Canadiens Maple Leafs Sabres Senators NORTHWEST Avalanche Canucks Flames Oilers Wild SOUTHEAST Capitals Hurricanes Jets Lightning Panthers PACIFIC Coyotes Ducks Kings Sharks Stars

More news

Getty Images

Sens have the momentum

PHT: A comeback win in Game 3 gave Ottawa hope, and the Senators seek a repeat result tonight to level the series.

Don Smith / NHLI via Getty Images

PHT: Sharks take Game 4, pull even with Kings

PHT: After coming back home in an 0-2 hole, the Sharks are now even with the Kings after holding on to win Game 4 Tuesday night.

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Bruins rally, put Rangers in 3-0 hole  |  Highlights

PHT: Roy's brother backtracks, unsure about Avs job

PHT: Red Wings take 2-1 series lead  |  Highlights

PHT: Toews calls 2-1 deficit 'slap in the face'

PHT: Quenneville chides Hawks' disallowed goal

Red Wings score twice in 31 seconds

Blackhawks score on controversial play

'Hawks potential tying goal waved off