Fast Facts for Colorado Avalanche, end of week 1

The Avalanche are on their 5 game road trip winning the first 4 making them 4-1-0 for the season. The 5th game is tonight against Toronto and former Avs plays John-Micheal Liles and Phillipe Dupuis with Jean-Sebastien Giguere start in goal against his former team.

The third “A” has now gone to 3 players: Erik Johnson twice, Cody McLeod twice, Jay McClement once. With current patterns, it looks like McClement will wear the “A” in tonights game but we’ll find out for sure when the game starts. Does this mean the Avalanche are closer to deciding who will be captain or wear the third “A” permanently? Who else is surprised Duchene hasn’t worn the third “A” yet?

Peter Muller has sat out 2 straight games on this road trip and it’s looking like a 3rd tonight. He is skating in practices but with the 4th line and scratches not in his usual position with Hejduk and Duchene. The Avalanche and Muller are keeping it very hush hush as to whether he is suffering from a relapse of concussion symptoms but he has seen Dr. Robert Cantu, a Boston based concussion specialist, who helped treat him last season. All Muller has to say on the matter is “I’m just trying to get in some practices and get some good days behind me. That’s about it. Just trying to get good days.”

With Muller out again, it’s looking like Lindstrom will be playing in his spot for the second time, Kobasew was in for him once as well.

Galiardi was out on a healthy scratch in Montreal with Porter taking his place. It looks like he’ll be back in for tonight’s game.

As far as stats go:
The Avalanche are #1 in their division, and tied with 8 points for the first place in the conference and league.
Rookie Landeskog is in the top 10 for shots on Goal for the league.
Goalie Varlamov is in the top 5 for Save percentage, Shutouts and Wins.

Finally, at the end of last week, Jonas Holos asked to be released to go play in Europe. Holos played with the Avalanche last season when they were plagued with injuries but didn’t make the cut during this preseason. He was sent to Lake Erie where he hasn’t played a game. The Avalanche front office will most likely agree to release him of his contract. I for one will be sad to see him leave, he showed good promise. I think he would’ve made a great addition to the Avalanche bench. I wish him the best in Europe with whatever team he ends up with.