The Avs got back in the win column against NJD, and now they aim to start a winning streak.
It’s Division Rivalry Night at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Colorado had a great showing their last time out against the Devils as they saw the return of forward Val Nichushkin and subsequent scoring touch. On the other hand, Minnesota can’t seem to catch a break, as injuries have officially derailed what appeared to be a promising season. They come to Denver having just suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Utah Hockey Club. Still, they sit two points ahead of the Avalanche in the Central. Big game!
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche returned from a not-so-successful return to action and looked like a more familiar team against the Devils. MacKinnon got on the board twice, and that’s good news for Jackie, who needs one more two-goal performance to earn her a ding on the Mile High Hockey Lab. I say MacK does it tonight against a team he’s loved running it on since his rookie season.
I feel so bad for the other 31 fanbases that don’t get to root for Nathan MacKinnon. What a player. #GoAvsGo | @MHH_LAB | @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/J9Jzr0nYZq
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) February 27, 2025
This game will mark just the 7th all season in which the Avalanche can ice a healthy forward group. That’s a remarkable fact, considering we are 22 games away from the playoffs. What happens over the next two weeks before the trade deadline will prove paramount and compulsory for Colorado’s decision-making in the future.
Another big division rivalry game tonight against the Minnesota Wild! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/3C7ojx4lvv
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) February 28, 2025
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin — Casey Mittelstadt — Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton — Jack Drury — Joel Kiviranta
Miles Wood — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Samuel Girard — Sam Malinski
Calvin de Haan — Oliver Kylington
Minnesota Wild
As previously mentioned, the Wild are an injury-riddled team, and it’s cost them in the long run. Not long ago, the Wild were one of the hottest teams in the league, keeping up with the Winnipeg Jets (sort of), who have since run away with the division. The question is, will being short-handed take them from unexpected contenders to missing the playoffs altogether? That remains to be seen.
BAD #mnwild NEWS: Center Joel Eriksson Ek was injured in practice yesterday and has been placed on injured reserve. Must miss at least 7 days (next 4 games), but I hear he’s going to be out a lot longer. Jakub Lauko will likely be activated off IR and replace him on roster
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 25, 2025
Projected Lineup:
Marcus Foligno — Marco Rossi — Mats Zuccarello
Matt Boldy — Frederick Gaudreau — Vinnie Hinostroza
Marcus Foligno — Marat Khusnutdinov — Liam Ohgren
Jakub Lauko — Devin Shore — Yakov Trenin
Jacob Middleton — Brock Faber
Jonas Brodin — Jared Spurgeon
Declan Chisholm — Zach Bogosian
Note: Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek remain on IR for the Wild.
Goaltenders
MacKenzie Blackwood vs Filip Gustavsson is tonight’s unconfirmed matchup on the net. Gustavsson had a tough go of it in the 4 Nations but has been good for Minnesota this season, posting a 2.68 GAA and .913 SV%.