(Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche will try to extend their longest winning streak of the season to seven games when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings for tonight's clash at the Pepsi Center.The Avalanche earned their sixth straight victory Sunday evening against Montreal to match their longest winning streak of last year. Colorado hasn't claimed seven consecutive victories since an eight-game winning streak from Dec. 31, 2005-Jan. 17, 2006.
Colorado has also won its last three tilts on home ice, including the first two tests on the club's current five-game homestand. The Avs have a solid 10-4-1 record in the Mile High City this season.The Avalanche recorded a 3-2 victory Sunday against the Canadiens, who led 2-1 early in the second period before Colorado closed that frame with two unanswered goals.Craig Anderson made 27 saves, including 14 in a scoreless third period, to help Colorado hold on for the win. Anderson has notched the victory in all six games during the hot streak.
"The last three games getting [a lot of] goals has been great. Tonight, three was enough," said Anderson. "Lucky for me I had a good outing."T.J. Galiardi scored the go-ahead goal in the second period -- the puck went in off his body -- while Kevin Porter and Ryan Wilson also tallied for the Avalanche.
The Kings began this month with three straight victories, but have lost three out of five since then (2-2-1). LA posted a 6-1 rout Saturday in Nashville, but was then dealt a 3-2 regulation loss the following day in Chicago. Jonathan Toews scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Blackhawks to the 3-2 victory at United Center.
Wayne Simmonds recorded a goal and an assist for the Kings. Kyle Clifford also scored, and Jonathan Quick allowed all three goals on 24 shots in defeat."We need to come out and play consistent and play, as a team, better. There are no excuses ... We need to do better," Clifford said.
The Kings could get some new help on the ice tonight if forward Marco Sturm is able to play. Sturm was acquired by LA in a trade with Boston earlier this month, but he has yet to play this season while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Sturm, who has 22 goals for Boston last season, is expected to play in either tonight's test or Thursday's home game against Edmonton.
Tonight marks the end of a five-game road trip for Los Angeles, which is just 7-10-0 away from southern California this season. The Kings recorded a victory earlier this season in Denver, notching a 6-4 decision on Oct. 23. LA has taken five of six overall in the series and three of the last four in Colorado.