Briefly:

… The Avs are 5-1-1 and leading the Western Conference at this early stage with 11 points. Their hot start began with Joe Sakic Night in the first game of the season, which may have something to do with it. Kicking off the year on with an emotional high like that probably helps last year’s crappy team turn it on now.

… Bill already commented on this: The Great Quincey Ring Snub of ’08. I’m sorry, Kyle, what? You played in six games for the Wings. Those games for the Griffins where you were too busy crying about your lot in life to play half-decent. What a joke.

… John-Michel Liles is out for two weeks with a shoulder injury. Quincey’s role will increase as a result. What’ll he do when Liles returns and his role is reduced again is the question.

… Craig Anderson will be the starter for Colorado. He had a groin injury scare a week or two ago, but has been strong so far this season.

… George has more on the Avs here.

… The Wings are coming off a decent win over LA on Thursday and need to follow it up with an even better effort today.

… Pavel Datsyuk is out for the second straight game tonight, but he’s supposed to be back Thursday.

… Osgood is the starter tonight.

… Brad May will return to the lineup. Patrick Eaves will be the scratch.

… This is the second game in a row against a team that is looking more dangerous than they were last year. The Wings need to remember that and play appropriately.