Avalanche and Wild square off to start the second round
The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild face off in the opening game of the NHL's Western Conference second round. The Avalanche, with a stronger regular season record, host the Wild in Denver. Both teams have key players performing well, though each has minor injury concerns heading into the series.
- ▪The Colorado Avalanche finished the regular season with a 55-16-11 record, leading the league with 298 total goals.
- ▪The Minnesota Wild posted a 46-24-12 record and ranked 10th in the league with 268 total goals.
- ▪Nathan MacKinnon recorded 53 goals and 74 assists for the Avalanche, while Kirill Kaprizov had 45 goals and 44 assists for the Wild.
- ▪The teams split their regular season series 2-2, with the Avalanche winning the last matchup 3-2 in a shootout.
- ▪Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson and Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin are both listed as day to day with injuries.
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