Avalanche Weekly Update - March 21

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FACEOFF SUCCESS:Colorado ranks second in the league in faceoff percentage at 53.6%, trailing only Anaheim (54.8). The Avs rank first in offensive zone faceoff percentage (56.4%) and are among the top 10 in both the defensive zone (51.9%) and neutral zone (52.5%). The Avs have been successful on 60.3% (1246-822) of their draws at home this year, best in the NHL. Individually, Matt Duchene leads all NHL players in faceoff percentage at 62.7%. Duchene has won a league-best 66.5% (322-162) at home and ranks second on the road at 59.0% (286-199).

Upcoming Games

Tuesday, March 21 vs. St. Louis Blues

Pepsi Center, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
The Avalanche and Blues clash for the third of five meetings this season and the second of three in the month of March, which will all be played at Pepsi Center. St. Louis enters Tuesday's contest winners in seven of its last eight games.

Thursday, March 23 vs. Edmonton Oilers

Pepsi Center, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
The Edmonton Oilers pay their final visit to Pepsi Center on Thursday night for the second of three meetings this season and the first of a home-and-home set that will wrap up the 2016-17 series between the two teams. Edmonton won the first tilt 6-3 on Nov. 23.

Saturday, March 25 at Edmonton Oilers

Rogers Place, 8 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
Colorado travels to Edmonton to finish off the season series against the Oilers, the second time these two teams will see each other in a three-day span. It's the only road game of 2016-17 for the Avs against Edmonton, and it will be their first at the new Rogers Place.

Monday, March 27 at Calgary Flames
Scotiabank Saddledome, 7 p.m. MT, TV: Altitude, Radio: 950 AM
The Avalanche closes out another season series against a Canadian opponent, the Calgary Flames, on Monday night. Colorado is 0-2-0 against its former Northwest Division rival in 2016-17, its latest loss coming on Jan. 4 by a score of 4-1.

Prospect Update

Will Butcher was named one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player. The senior defenseman was named the NCHC Player of the Year and selected to the All-NCHC First Team. Butcher captained the University of Denver to the NCHC regular-season championship. A fifth-round pick (123rd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft, Butcher leads all NCHC defensemen in scoring with 35 points (6g/29a) in 39 games.

Quotable

"I had [Mikhail Grigorenko] going to the net, and he drove the 'D' back. I was looking to slide it to him, but once the D-man slid back, I walked into the slot and had a little opening there. It was pretty special. It's nice to get that first one out of the way, but really fun to do it in a win. The guys were really excited for me, which makes me feel a little better. Overall, it was a fun night. A good two points." -Avalanche center J.T. Compher on his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at Pepsi Center

More Links

• Standings

• Player Statistics

• Practice Schedule via @AvsPR