The Avalanche will be without rookie forward Tyson Jost (hyperextended knee), who was injured Wednesday on a cross-check by Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid. Jost returned and scored an empty-net goal in a 6-3 win, but didn't practice Thursday or skate Friday.
Players to watch
Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin spent the past two seasons with the Avalanche, who bought out the final year of his three-year contract on June 15. He signed a one-year contract with Anaheim on Aug. 21. Beauchemin previously played nine seasons with the Ducks. Avalanche goalie Jonathan Bernier will play against his former Ducks teammates while making his first Pepsi Center start since signing a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He went 21-7-4 in 39 games with Anaheim last season with a 2.50 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.
They said it
"I would say that he's still a work in progress. He shows in some situations how dynamic he can be and in other situations, I think there's still a learning curve to be around the puck more and be stronger on it." -- Ducks coach Randy Carlyle on Rickard Rakell, who has moved from left wing to center "I think that whenever you play a team that you have a history with, there's an added incentive. That's part of the reason he's playing tonight. We should be excited for him and dig in a little extra for him." -- Avalanche coach Jared Bednar on goalie Jonathan Bernier
Ritchie, who has missed the past three games, took part in the morning skate and will take the warmup before his status is determined ... Kase was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Tuesday. ... Avalanche forward A.J. Greer has recovered from a concussion, was activated from injured reserve and assigned to San Antonio of the AHL.
Stat pack
Carlyle needs one win to tie Jack Adams (413) for 32nd place in NHL history. ... Andrighetto and Yakupov each has four points (three goals, one assist) in a two-game point streak.
