Same lineup tonight for the Wild in Denver, meaning defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Mike Lundin, and forward Brad Staubitz, will be scratched. Mike Yeo said he liked the way the team played for 50 minutes against Nashville before the Predators rallied for the 5-4 victory on Tuesday.

Afternoon from the Pepsi Center, where outside is the calm before the storm. Snow is coming, so much it might keep me from getting to Dallas on time tomorrow.

Yeo clarified some remarks yesterday when he hinted captain Mikko Koivu might play against Dallas on Saturday, saying that would likely not happen.

As for tonight's game against the Avalanche: Niklas Backstrom vs. J-S Giguere tonight in goal. Backstrom is 8-2-1 in 11 games at Colorado with a .934 SV%, a 2.12 GAA and 2 shutouts. In the past seven games he is 5-1-1 with a .948 SV%, 1.75 GAA, two shutouts and has allowed one goal three times.

The Wild is 9-1-2 in the past 12 here. Not sure what its record is in games after I spilled coffee on myself walking to the rink.