Colorado Avalanche have the best record in the Western Conference and are defying expectations with their outstanding play.

Which, of course, makes them prime candidates to have a swine flu outbreak in their locker room and send the whole thing down the tubes, right Debbie Downer?

Luckily, it appears the Avs caught H1N1 early with goalie Peter Budaj(notes), who has been diagnosed with swine flu according to Coach Joe Sacco. From the Denver Post:

Budaj was set to start in goal last Friday in Denver against Carolina. But he fell ill Thursday afternoon with flu-like symptoms and was scratched.

From the first sign of Budaj's illness last week, the team was concerned it might be swine flu.

"We're always cautious," Avs coach Joe Sacco said Friday. "With Peter, once he came down with those flu-like symptoms, we did the right thing by keeping him away... We'll do whatever we can to make sure our guys stay healthy."

Craig Anderson(notes) (2.14 GAA, .936 save percentage) will make his 12th straight start tonight as the Avs take on the Edmonton Oilers, while legions of Colorado fans pray for both Budaj's speedy recovery and that Anderson hasn't shared a water bottle with in the last week.