Game 3 preview: Wild at Avs

Last update: April 14, 2008 - 12:25 PM

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The skinny: One game after 38-year-old Joe Sakic won Game 1 in overtime for the Avs, 38-year-old Wild defenseman Keith Carney won Game 2 with an OT goal. The team's past four playoff games against each other have gone to OT. The Wild has lost five consecutive road playoff games, all against Anaheim. However, the Wild is 3-1 at the Pepsi Center in the playoffs, while its regular-season record in Denver is 5-15-3. ... Colorado's 27 home victories were third-most in the NHL.

Must step up for the Wild: Marian Gaborik, who has no points and three shots in the series.

Must be shut down for the Avalanche: Peter Forsberg, whose 64 goals and 104 assists in the postseason rank third among active players; his 168 points rank second.

Numbers: The Wild is 0-4 all-time in Game 3s, 1-7 in Games 3 and 4. ... The Wild has surrendered the first goal in six consecutive playoff games. ... The Wild was shut out in the first 40 minutes of Games 1 and 2.

Tidbit: The Wild has split the first two games of a series on two previous occasions, winning both.

Wild could be in trouble: "Our team looks for goals from people we don't expect, not only the top guys. We'll need a goal from [Derek] Boogaard at a time if we want to win this series." -- Wild coach Jacques Lemaire.

Injuries: Wild RW Branko Radivojevic (leg) is doubtful. D Kurtis Foster (broken femur), D Nick Schultz (appendectomy) and RW Mark Parrish (concussion) are out. Avalanche D Brett Clark (shoulder), RW Scott Parker (ankle) and RW Marek Svatos (knee) are out. Forsberg (feet) is probable.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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