Wild at Avalanche
THE STORY: The Minnesota Wild have had nothing but trouble on the road of late. The Colorado Avalanche have been playing superb hockey at home recently. One trend will continue Tuesday when the Northwest Division rivals face off. Minnesota has lost 11 consecutive road games, tying the franchise record set from Nov. 20, 2006-Jan. 9, 2007. However, the Wild, who have dropped 15 of 18 overall, are 8-1-2 in their last 11 visits to Denver. Colorado, which is playing only its third home game this month, has won 10 of its last 12 in the Mile High City.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS
ABOUT THE WILD (23-18-7): Minnesota announced Monday that captain Mikko Koivu will miss the All-Star Game in Ottawa this weekend because of a left shoulder injury. The center, who has recorded nine goals and 33 points in 41 contests this season, was hurt in a loss at St. Louis on Jan. 14 and has not played since. Koivu was replaced on the All-Star roster by Edmonton's Jordan Eberle. Nick Johnson was selected as an injury replacement on the rookie squad for the Skills Competition during the All-Star break. The right wing, who is 10th among rookies in scoring with 16 points, is taking the spot of Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Eden Prairie native Chad Rau became the sixth member of the Wild to make his NHL debut this season and the 13th Minnesotan to skate for the club in Saturday's win over Dallas. The center made his debut even more special by scoring the game-winning goal.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (26-22-2): Captain Milan Hejduk ended his eight-game goal-scoring drought in Sunday's loss at Anaheim. The veteran right wing needs eight tallies to reach the 20-goal mark for a franchise-record 12th straight season. Hejduk shares the club honor of 11 consecutive 20-goal campaigns with Joe Sakic. Defenseman Ryan Wilson could miss his third game in a row with a groin injury. With 15 points in 33 contests, Wilson is six away from tying his career high set in 2009-10.
OVERTIME:
1. The last four contests between the division rivals were played in Minnesota, with the Wild winning three times.
2. Minnesota has lost six of its last seven divisional games and 11 of 14 against the Western Conference.