The Colorado Avalanche were feeling good after they defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 10 days ago.It was their third win in four contests, they were heading home for a five-game homestand with a .500 mark and looking to build some momentum heading into the second month of the season.Instead of surging, the Avalanche are searching for answers after three straight losses -- including one in a shootout. Colorado can turn things around on Thursday when it hosts the Blue Jackets on Thursday night.The poor starts, defensive lapses and lack of focus for 60 minutes need to be fixed if Colorado (9-11-1) is going to start winning.It better start coming from inside, coach Jared Bednar said after Tuesdays 5-3 loss to Nashville. The players are going to have to solve that a little bit on their own. They know what the expectations are, what the standard is and we have to continually strive to meet that standard and get more consistent.Bednar wants it to start against the Blue Jackets, a team with which the Avalanche made a trade on Monday. The clubs swapped minor league defensemen with Ryan Stanton going to Columbus for Cody Goloubef. Both players reported to their respective teams American Hockey League affiliates.Goloubef could end up with Colorado if the defense continues to struggle. The Avalanche arent getting enough consistency from 21-year-old Nikita Zadarov, who had a costly turnover in the first period that led to Nashvilles first goal Tuesday.But Zadarovs play isnt the main reason for Colorados struggles. Injuries are an issue, too.Goaltender Semyon Varlamov missed two straight games but will be in net Thursday. Forward Gabriel Landeskog was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, retroactive to Nov. 15.Bednar said Wednesday that the team is considering recalling one or two players from San Antonio, one of which might be A.J. Greer. Bednar has repeatedly said Landeskog is day to day but he hasnt skated since Friday. He didnt play in Colorados 3-2 overtime win in Columbus on Nov. 21, a rare November loss for the Blue Jackets.Columbus (12-5-4) finished the month 9-2-3 and is tied with Washington for third place in the Metropolitan Division before Wednesday nights NHL schedule. The Blue Jackets are coming off a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday and are feeling confident.We certainly know weve climbed a ladder here, coach John Tortorella told The Columbus Dispatch. Weve talked about the standard of play, the accountability factor of how you play, how you practice. And then when the season starts, do you go in there and hope youre going to win, or do you go in there with swagger and know youre going to get it done?Youre certainly not going to win them all. Theres a lot of things that go into winning and losing in the NHL. But I like where the attitude has gone to here. Thomas Morstead Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Bobby Hebert Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/ .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Authentic Custom Saints Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Pat Swilling Jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. --?New York Jets receiver?Brandon Marshall returned to practice Friday on a limited basis, and his availability for Sundays game in Kansas City will be a game-time decision, head coach Todd Bowles said.Marshall sat out the entire week before Friday because of injuries to his left knee and foot. He said the final decision on whether he plays would be made by Bowles, because if its up to me, Ill be out there at 40, 50 percent.Marshall, the Jets No. 1 receiver, was injured in the teams 37-31 victory over Buffalo on Sept. 15. His knee twisted awkwardly as he was brought to the ground by his facemask by Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore after a second-quarter reception.Marshall said he injured the foot on the same play. He left the game briefly but was able to return and finished with six catches for 101 yards. He said he was able to get through the game because of adrenaline as well as the painkiller Toradol, which he had taken before the game to deal with other ailments.The problem with injuries is, after a few hours, in the next day or two, theres a lot of blood flow to that area, so swelling increases, he said. Usually what youre fighting is getting the inflammatiion out, get the swelling out, and getting the flexibility back.dddddddddddd So thats the deal. Its swelling and flexibility in trying to get back to close to 100 percent.You just gotta be smart. You gotta think about, you know, this is Week 3. Although every games important, and we approach them that way, you never want to hurt the team or hurt yourself worse.Nevertheless, Marshall pointed to his track record of having missed just five games over the past seven seasons because of injuries. So I always try to get out there, he said.Marshall, who has nine catches for 133 yards on the season, expressed confidence in the Jets receiving corps if he doesnt play. He cited the fine start by Quincy Enunwa, who has a team-high 13 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown, along with the presence of Eric Decker, who has eight catches for a team-high 163 yards and 2 TDs. Marshall also mentioned undrafted rookie Jalin Marshall, who has three catches for 45 yards.If he does play, Marshall said, he wont need to wear a brace but will have his knee and foot heavily taped. ' ' '