Colorado Avalanche looking for repeat against Minnesota Wild -NHL Preview
Colorado is very close to securing a spot on the playoff line-up in the top eight of the Western Conference and as Avalanche head into their second straight matchup against Minnesota, the Wild should be expecting a tough time on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at
the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
Avalanche needs one more victory to move up ahead of San Jose Sharks, a team which is currently at number eight with 73 points.
"This is huge. After dropping two we knew we needed these two points," said Jamie McGinn. "Everyone ahead of us is winning right now, so we have to stay in the hunt. It's going to be an interesting final stretch here, and we want to be a part of it too."
Having had a wonderful start to the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season and leading well ahead of the competition, Minnesota is now number 13 in the conference with 66 points, struggling to find a way back.
The young Colorado team shutout Minnesota earlier on Sunday, March 4, and playing once again with a one day rest, the Avalanche could have potentially gained more momentum because Wild certainly does not look to have benefited at all.
Injuries have been an issue of concern for Minnesota as they are still missing captain, Mikko Koivu, along with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse who are both out with concussions.
Using injuries as an excuse might definitely get them out of the heat but Minnesota do not plan on doing that anymore.
"We've used that excuse already - injuries, injuries, injuries," right winger Devin Setoguchi said. "If the effort's there then we can be satisfied if we lose the game or if we play hard, but if the effort's not there and the mentality isn't there to play
the game right.”
Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild will be facing off again for the second straight time on Tuesday in Denver at 9:00 PM ET.
Prediction:
Colorado will not be able to get a shutout but will win the match with a lead of a goal but not in regulation. The match will be most likely decided in overtime.
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