by Sports Xchange

The Avalanche had best put an end to this trend beginning Monday when it meets the Philadelphia Flyers at the Pepsi Center to open a three-game homestand.

"You can't sit back in this league; you can't," Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said. "That's two games in a row now where we had leads in the third period and we get on our heels. You can't sit back and let the other team dictate how the game is going to be played."

The Avalanche turned an early 2-0 lead against Vancouver into a 5-2 loss on Friday after turning a 4-2 advantage against Edmonton into a 6-4 loss on Wednesday.

"We had a couple of missed assignments and (we were) a little bit casual on our defensive zone coverage, and the next thing you know the game's out of reach," Sacco said.

"We get caught in between at times instead of pushing the issue. You can't play this game like that. Even when you're up a goal, you want to continue to push pressure on the opponent. We just have to keep preaching it."

The Avalanche has gone 1-4-1 in its last six games.

CANUCKS 5, AVALANCHE 2: Vancouver scored the final five goals of the game, four in the third period Friday night at General Motors Place. The Avalanche took a 2-0 lead on two power-play goals in the first 8:39 of the opening period but couldn't solve Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo in even-strength situations.