The Colorado Avalanche are back home for nearly three weeks, hoping the comfortable surroundings will help turn their season around.

The Avalanche (21-18-8) open a five-game homestand Saturday afternoon against the visiting Los Angeles Kings, a stretch that will include All Star weekend and Colorado's five-day bye.

The Avalanche are 2-8-2 since Dec. 21, causing their grip to loosen on third place in the Central Division. They wrapped up a five-game road trip with a 5-2 loss on Wednesday to the Ottawa Senators, the last-place team in the Eastern Conference.