Playing consecutive-night NHL games with travel is a challenging chore.
Just ask the red-hot Avalanche, which wasn’t up to the challenge Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
The Avs, following a six-game road stretch, was looking to improve to 5-0 at home and win their 11th straight game at the Pepsi Center, dating to last season. Instead, they dropped a 5-2 decision to Anaheim Ducks, who had a day off in Denver on Friday after losing their third straight game Thursday at Dallas.
Colorado, which allowed an empty-net goal with 2:13 remaining, fell to 8-2-1 but still is tied with Edmonton with a Western Conference-most 17 points.