Vancouver (6-3-2) at Colorado (6-4-1)

Once considered a key part of the Colorado Avalanche’s future, goaltender Peter Budaj(notes) is proving he can at least be a worthy replacement right now.

Budaj will try to continue his solid play in place of the injured Craig Anderson(notes) when the Avalanche host the surging Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Budaj played a team-high 182 games during a four-season stretch before being moved to the bench in favor of Anderson last season. A native of the former Czechoslovakia, Budaj lost his status as starter after Colorado (6-4-1) overhauled its roster following a last-place finish in the Western Conference in 2008-09.