Avalanche Warning: Peter Budaj Paces Colorado

Behind the outstanding play of goaltender Peter Budaj, the Colorado Avalanche have come away with seven points in their last four games—including two wins on the road, where the Avs have struggled all season.

With only six goals allowed in his last four starts, Budaj has improved his season record to 12-6-1, with a GAA of 2.65 and a save percentage of .902.

As a side note, those four starts were consecutive—a rarity for the Avalanche netminder this season.

Budaj has shown flashes of brilliance in the crease throughout his career—including in the final 20 games of last season, when he was able to pull the Avs within one game of playoff contention.

It wasn't until this past week that he managed to regain that form.

With Joe Sakic set to return, it's very possible that Budaj's new standard of play will help the Avalanche seize first place in the Northwest, and stay atop the extremely fluid Western Conference standings.