Stars, Avalanche aim to climb out of cellar

Colorado (12-13-0) at Dallas (9-12-4), 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- With four playoff encounters in the last 10
years, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche were forming
quite a rivalry. Neither team, however, has looked remotely
close to a postseason contender this season.

The Stars and Avalanche will both attempt to start moving in the
right direction when they meet Friday.

Dallas, which currently owns the worst record in the Western
Conference, is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on
Wednesday. Mike Modano had two goals for the Stars, who had won
three of their previous four contests.

Modano also extended his NHL-record for goals by an
American-born player to 539. The 38-year-old center has 11
goals and eight assists on the campaign.

Colorado's rocky season continued Thursday as the Avalanche
suffered a 3-2 setback to the Nashville Predators. Ryan Smyth
and Wojtek Wolski scored for Colorado, which is tied with
Edmonton at the bottom of the Northwest Division.

Before the setback, the Avalanche were also showings signs of
turning their season around. They had won three of their
previous four games.