Colorado is coming off a six-day break between games, having won last Friday night against the Calgary Flames. They have exhausted their games-in-hand over other playoff-contending clubs and now need an unlikely combination of events to go their way in order to have a chance. The Avalanche could be eliminated tonight, regardless of result: if the San Jose Sharks earn a point against in-state rival Los Angeles, Colorado is officially out of the race.

They have had trouble against the Blue Jackets lately, dropping a 2-0 decision at Pepsi Center back in early March despite winning both previous games in the season series at Nationwide Arena. Colorado has relied heavily on goaltender Semyon Varlamov to stay afloat in the race for eighth place, and the young Russian netminder will start between the pipes tonight. For Columbus, it is possible that Steve Mason makes a return to the net after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Interim head coach Todd Richards stated his desire to get Mason in net for one of the final two games of the season, with Allen York starting the other.

Tonight’s game figures to be a goaltending duel, much like the last meeting was at Pepsi Center. The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four games coming in, while the Avalanche have sputtered since flirting with the playoff bar a few weeks ago. Since defeating the Flames on Mar. 20 at home, Colorado is just 1-3-1 and now looking at a steep hill to climb in order to taste the postseason.

G	Nash (27)	Landeskog (22)
A	Prospal (36)	O'Reilly (37)
PTS	Nash (56)	O'Reilly (55)
PIM	Dorsett (218)	McLeod (159)
+/-	MacKenzie (+4)	Landeskog (+23)
W/L	Mason (14-26-3)	Varlamov (26-23-3)
GAA	York (2.30)	Giguere (2.15)
SVP	York (.920)	Giguere (.923)