Phoenix, AZ (My Sportsbook) - Patrick Roy will become the National Hockey League's all-time leader in games played among goaltenders tonight when his Colorado Avalanche visit the Phoenix Coyotes at America West Arena.

Roy is expected to appear in his 972nd career game, which will surpass Terry Sawchuk's mark that he tied on Tuesday night against Edmonton. Sawchuk, who played 21 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, LA Kings and New York Rangers compiled a 447-330-172 mark in his career. Roy played his first game on February 23, 1985 with the Montreal Canadiens in a relief effort of Doug Soetaert against the Winnipeg Jets, who are now, of course, the Coyotes.

Roy already owns 10 NHL records including most career regular-season wins (518) and most playoff victories (148).

Roy and Co. played to a 3-3 tie with the Oilers on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center, as Edmonton's Ryan Smyth scored at 9:06 of the third period to force OT after the Avs had taken a 3-2 advantage. Radim Vrbata and Peter Forsberg scored just 2:13 apart early in the third to provide that edge.

Milan Hejduk also tallied, while Roy finished with 24 saves.

Forsberg's goal, a highlight-reel marker, was his team-leading fourth of the season, and he has contributed four tallies and three assists in the last four games.

Colorado begins a tough road stretch tonight. The Avs will play four of their next five games overall away from Denver.

Phoenix, meanwhile, has won its last two tilts and returns home after a five- game road trip. The Coyotes capped off the trek with wins over Buffalo and Nashville, including Tuesday's 2-1 decision against the Predators. Shane Doan and Ladislav Nagy scored first-period goals, and Brian Boucher made 26 saves in relief of starter Sean Burke, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the first period.

Burke is expected to miss four weeks of action due to the injury, and the team recalled Patrick DesRochers from Springfield to back-up Boucher. The Coyotes acquired Boucher as an insurance policy from Philadelphia early this past offseason.

Phoenix begins a brief homestand tonight, and will host Minnesota on Saturday.

These teams split four games last season, with each squad winning twice in its own rink. The Avs have won four of the last six meetings overall, but have dropped two in a row at America West Arena.