The Tyler Arnason experiment as the Avalanche's top center has ended.

Arnason, who failed to collect a point in four games as a replacement for the injured Paul Stastny, has been replaced by Wojtek Wolski, a center in junior hockey who has played left wing for most of his NHL career.

Avalanche coach Tony Granato said that Wolski would remain on the No. 1 line with left wing Ryan Smyth and right wing Milan Hejduk for Tuesday's road game against the Nashville Predators in the Sommet Center.

Wolski made his debut at center Sunday against Minnesota, when he played a season-high 21:45 and had three shots on goal.

"It's his first time at that position since juniors and I thought he did a very good job," Granato said.

The more gray Owen Nolan accumulates in his beard, the less he concerns himself with grudges. The Minnesota Wild forward no longer worries about settling scores with the Colorado Avalanche, an organization that drafted him and then traded him away. "Played too many games to worry about that now," the 17-year veteran said.

Steve Mason was lamenting the lone goal he let in. "Probably should've had it," the Columbus goalie said. Almost did. Mason was a leg stretch away from extending his shutout streak, allowing a first-period goal before slamming the door as the Columbus Blue Jackets cruised to a 6-1 win over Colorado on Friday night.

Peter Mueller's 21-game goal drought is fading into memory. Mueller scored twice in a 2:05 span of the second period and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Wednesday night. "As soon as you get one they come in bunches," said Mueller, who has three goals in three games. "You know, you're not going into every game thinking this is going to be the game.

Wojtek Wolski thought about unveiling a dazzling new move for the shootout, just to become more unpredictable. Why mess with a good thing, though? Wolski scored the lone goal in the shootout on a nifty move, and Peter Budaj stopped all three shots in the tiebreaker, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

Brett Clark nearly had a terrible birthday. Instead, he celebrated turning 32 by saving the game for the Colorado Avalanche. Clark's interference penalty led to Phoenix's tying goal in the final minute of regulation, but the Avalanche defenseman scored with 3:12 left in overtime to lift Colorado past the Coyotes 5-4 Tuesday night.