Wild at Avalanche
THE STORY: The Minnesota Wild have often looked to the Colorado Avalanche as the perfect elixir for their troubles. The Wild, who have defeated their Northwest Division rival in five of the last six contests, will look for similar success on Thursday when they travel to the Pepsi Center to face the Avalanche. Minnesota is in dire need of a pick-me-up after squandering a three-goal lead midway through the third period on Tuesday en route to a 5-4 loss to the streaking Nashville Predators. "If you’ve ever been punched in the stomach really hard, that’s pretty much what this one felt like,” Wild first-year coach Mike Yeo said. Losing on Thursday may produce a similar feeling, considering that the eighth-place Wild are just one point ahead of the Avalanche in the standings.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSNO, ALT
ABOUT THE WILD (24-19-7): Offseason acquisition Dany Heatley tallied twice in Tuesday's loss, increasing his team-leading totals in goals (17) and points (37). Heatley, who has seven points in his last three outings, has collected 18 points in 17 career games versus Colorado. G Niklas Backstrom has also fared well versus the Avalanche, posting a 19-5-2 career mark with a 2.24 goals-against average.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (26-24-2): Colorado suffered its third straight loss and seventh in 10 games (3-6-1) when it dropped a 3-2 decision to Edmonton on Tuesday. The Avalanche are in danger of missing the postseason for the second straight year - and their record versus their Northwest Division foes isn't helping. Colorado has won just twice in 13 contests (2-11-0) versus its division rivals this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Avalanche rookie LW Gabriel Landeskog has collected two goals and three assists during his four-game point streak. The second overall pick of the draft, Landeskog has recorded a goal and an assist in three contests versus the Wild this season.
2. Colorado has scored two goals or less in eight of its last 10 games.