First Goal Crucial in Avalanche Plan

To hear the Colorado Avalanche tell it, the only way to beat the New Jersey Devils and their suffocating defensive pressure is to take a lead and hold it in Game 6 tonight at Continental Airlines Arena. It could be the only way to force Game 7 Saturday in Denver.

“If we can make some adjustments and get more pressure in their zone, we’ll spend less time in our zone,” Colorado Coach Bob Hartley said. “The plan for us will be to score the first goal. I don’t see any lineup changes. Our lines have been pretty well set all year and we’ve had success. We believe in our plan.”

The Devils played their neutral-zone trap to perfection in winning Games 4 and 5 and lead the series three games to two. The Avalanche hasn’t found a way to break the trap, has only three goals in the last two games and finds itself with no margin for error.

“We’ve played well under pressure situations,” defenseman Adam Foote said. “And we’re in a desperate situation.”

Devil center Jason Arnott, who suffered symptoms associated with a concussion when he was struck by a puck early in Game 4 and did not play in Game 5, practiced with his teammates Wednesday.

“I just don’t feel good,” Arnott told the New York Daily News. “I’m going to try to be there [tonight]. I want to be there as much as anybody. But I have to look at my health first.”

New Jersey center Bobby Holik is among several candidates to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason’s most valuable player. Holik has six goals and 16 points, and he also has kept Colorado center Joe Sakic from scoring in the last three games.

In addition, Holik shut down Mario Lemieux in the Devils’ victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals.