Colorado Avalanche End Southern California Swing Sunday vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Colorado Avalanche improved to 3-0 on the season against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday night. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere had another strong outing, stopping 25 shots and surrendering just one goal to the Kings' Anze Kopitar. Cody McLeod, Peter Mueller, and Gabriel Landeskog all scored for the Avs.

The Avs will conclude their quick two-game SoCal road trip tonight in Anaheim against the Ducks.  Despite the fact that the Ducks are third from the bottom of the standings in the NHL, they have been playing very good hockey lately. They have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10, and although it's taken a little while, new head coach Bruce Boudreau has this team playing some strong hockey.

Their starting goaltender, Jonas Hiller, was a standout for team Switzerland in the 2010 Olympics and was an All-Star just last season. He's struggled this season, but has been playing better lately and is a very talented netminder. The Ducks also have a plethora of talented forwards, including last year's Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy winner, Corey Perry. Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and future Hall-of-Famer and former Av Teemu Selanne are also very dangerous.

Coach Joe Sacco will go right back with J.S. Giguere again tonight, who will start his second game in less than 24 hours. Giguere's only other game in Anaheim against the Ducks since his trade from Anaheim two years ago came on New Year's eve a few weeks ago, which the Avs won 4-2 and the Ducks gave a nice tribute to their former netminder.

Like the Avs, the Ducks also played and won Saturday night, so both teams will be coming into the game on short rest. After Sunday, however, the Avs have only one more game on Tuesday night before having six days off for the All-Star break (save for rookie Gabriel Landeskog, who will be taking part in the All-Star festivities in Ottawa) so hopefully they can come out strong tonight, back here in Denver on Tuesday and carry their momentum into the break.