wild gameday
2 P.M. at Colorado avalanche • pepsi center • FSN • 100.3-FM
Preview: This will be the second game vs. Colorado in three days and the fourth overall this season, but the first one in Denver. The teams won't meet again until April 27, the last game of the season. The Wild has earned five of a possible six points against the Avalanche. Colorado found itself at the bottom of the Western Conference standings Friday morning with 24 points in 26 games.
Players to watch: Wild C Mikko Koivu has three goals and three assists vs. Colorado this season. W Dany Heatley has four points vs. the Avalanche this season, Zach Parise five and Ryan Suter four. Suter also has 11 points in his past nine games. G Niklas Backstrom is 22-5-3 vs. Colorado all-time, with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. Colorado RW P.A. Parenteau had a goal and an assist Thursday, as did C Matt Duchene.
Numbers: The Wild has scored first in five consecutive games, and is 9-4 overall when scoring first this season. Minnesota is 5-for-23 on the power play the past six games; the Wild had a five-game streak without at least one power play goal ended Thursday. The Wild is 4-7-1 on the road.
Injuries: Wild goalie Josh Harding (symptoms related to multiple sclerosis) is out. Wild RW Steve Downie (knee) is out.
kent youngblood
