The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for a challenging road matchup against the Minnesota Wild, with puck drop set for 1:38 p.m. MT. The Avalanche, boasting a record of 17-1-5, embark on a matinee back-to-back series, aiming to extend their impressive winning streak, which currently stands at ten games. Meanwhile, the Wild, with a 13-7-4 record and six consecutive victories, are set to provide stiff competition.
As both teams lead the league with the longest active winning streaks, anticipation builds around who will start in goal for Colorado. Given the back-to-back schedule, it’s possible that Mackenzie Blackwood will take the crease against Minnesota, potentially setting up Scott Wedgewood to start in Saturday’s game against the struggling Montreal Canadiens. Without a morning skate to provide insight, fans will have to wait until pre-game warm-ups to learn the starting goaltender.
Both teams have been defensively formidable; Colorado is riding a three-game shutout streak, while Minnesota has recently secured four shutouts in their last eight games. The Wild are coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks and have an impressive record of 7-0-2 in their last nine contests.
Star forwards Matt Boldy and Kirrill Kaprizov are leading the Wild’s offensive efforts, each tallying 14 goals and 14 assists in 24 games, placing them within the top 20 players in the league. The Avalanche, conversely, feature three players—Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas—who have surpassed 30 points this season, showcasing their offensive depth.
The season series continues with multiple matchups against Minnesota, with games scheduled on November 28, December 21, February 26, and March 8.
Injury updates for the Avalanche include Logan O’Connor (hip) and Valeri Nichushkin (lower body), both week-to-week, alongside Gavin Brindley, who is also dealing with a lower body injury.
Projected lineups are subject to change, but currently, the Avalanche lines feature key players such as Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, while goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood are set for the net.
With a sense of community and excitement surrounding the game, fans have much to look forward to as these two winning teams clash, showcasing the intensity of NHL competition.