Game 6 preview: Wild at Colorado

Andy King, Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche wing Andrew Brunette, left, has scored the first goal in each of the past three games.

Last update: April 19, 2008 - 6:38 PM

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The skinny: It's black and white, really. The Wild wins, there will be a Game 7 at the X on Monday. If the Wild loses, the season is over.

Must step up for the Wild: Same guy as Games 1 through 5: Marian Gaborik, who has no points and 19 shots and is a minus-3 in the series.

The Avalanche would like to shut down: Brian Rolston. Rolston has six points, is tied for the NHL lead with a plus-5 and has been on the ice for 10 of the Wild's 11 goals in the series.

Must be shut down for the Avalanche: Andrew Brunette. The ex-Wild winger has scored the game's first goal in three consecutive games.

By the numbers: The Wild is 7-2 all-time in elimination games. ... The Wild has surrendered the first goal in nine consecutive playoff games. ... The Wild has led in 4 minutes, 31 seconds of a possible 324:23.

Quotable: "We're up 3-2 and we have a chance to close it out. Any time you have a chance, you want to do it. You don't really want to go back to Minnesota to their home crowd for Game 7. You have an opportunity, you've got to find a way to get it done." -- Colorado captain Joe Sakic.

Watch party: The Wild will host an outdoor viewing party of tonight's game immediately after tonight's Minnesota Swarm game. The party will take place on the top level of the RiverCentre Parking Ramp on Kellogg Boulevard. Admission is free; the game will be shown on a large screen. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and there will be additional entertainment.

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

MICHAEL RUSSO

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