Gameday: Wild vs. Colorado

Last update: January 3, 2009 - 9:36 PM

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7 P.M. VS. COLORADO • PEPSI CENTER • FSN, 830-AM

Preview: The Wild starts a four-game road trip with a Northwest Division showdown against a new-look Avalanche. Coach Tony Granato decided to change things up a bit Saturday in practice. Wojtek Wolski was at center, Milan Hejduk at left wing, Chris Stewart on right wing. These players were all at different positions in Friday night's 6-1 loss to Columbus.

Players to watch: Hejduk leads Colorado with 13 goals this season but hasn't scored in four games. Left winger Ryan Smyth is right behind with 12 goals, but he, too, is in a slump with no goals and just six shots in the past three games. Former Gophers defenseman Jordan Leopold has 14 points for the Avs. His five goals are just four off his career high. Wild right winger Andrew Brunette played in his 489th consecutive game Saturday night, the longest active streak in the NHL.

Numbers: Hejduk's 38 career points are the most for an Avalanche player against the Wild. ... There have been zero penalty shots attempted in 47 games between the two teams -- the only division opponent the Wild has played without one.

Injuries: Minnesota RW Marian Gaborik will not play and is expected to be out 10-14 weeks after hip surgery Monday. Defensemen Marc-Andre Bergeron (knee) and Kurtis Foster (broken leg) also are out. For Colorado, forward Cody McCormick (foot), center Paul Stastny (forearm) and center Joe Sakic (back, hand) are out. Right winger Brian Willsie (knee) is day-to-day.

BRIAN STENSAAS

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