Event Details:
Saturday October 30th, 8 P.M. C.T. Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche, Bally Sports Network. Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche Lineup/ Analysis
Expected Forwards Lines
Line 1:
LW: Gabriel Landerskog C: Nathan Mackinnon RW: Mikko Rantahnen
Line 2:
LW: Andre Burakovsky C: Nazem Kadri RW: JT Compher
Line 3:
LW: Sampo Ranta C: Tyson Jost RW: Logan O’ Connor
Line 4:
LW: Darren Helm C: Jayson Megna RW: Martin Kaut
Defensive Pairings
Pairing 1:
LD: Bowen Byram RD: Cale Makar
Pairing 2:
LD: Jack Johnson RD: Erik Johnson
Pairing 3:
LD: Curtis Macdermid RD: Ryan Murray
Starting Goalie: Darcy Kuemper
Colorado Avalanche Analysis:
The Colorado Avalanche are having a tough start to the 2021-2022 season, as they had only won 2 of their first 6 games. Given however, that a majority of their first six games were played on the road, there is hope that the Avalanche will be able to rebound at home in this division rivalry. With Nathan Mackinnon playing strong after being injured for most of the 2021 season, the Colorado Avalanche hope to capitalize on the Wild’s weaknesses of penalties and giving up early-game opportunities. Nathan Mackinnon, Miko Ranatanen, and Bowen Bryam led the Avalanche in points after their first six games, and will look to score early and often against the Wild’s defense. The Colorado Avalanche knows that they will have to be persistent against the Wild’s strong powerplay unit through strong penalty killing. Ultimately, the Colorado Avalanche knows that in order to gain a win against the Minnesota Wild at home, they will need to prevent the Wild from coming back into the game if they are able to gain an early-goal advantage.
Key Player On The Avalanche To Watch For: Nathan Mackinnon
A leader on and off the ice for the Colorado Avalanche, Mackinnon ability to make key passes/shots at opportune times will be something the Wild will need to watch out for on Saturday.
Minnesota Wild Lineup/Analysis
Expected Forward Lines
Line 1:
LW: Krill Kaprizov C: Joel Erikkson Ek RW: Mats Zuccarello
Line 2:
LW: Kevin Fiala C: Fredrick Gaudreau RW: Nick Bjugstad
Line 3:
LW: Jordan Greenway C: Ryan Hartman RW: Marcus Foligno
Line 4:
LW: Brandon Duhaime C: Nico Sturm RW: Rem Pitlick
Defensive Pairings
Line 1:
LD: Alex Goligoski RD: Jared Spuregon
Line 2:
LD: Jonas Brodin RD: Mathew Dumba
Line 3:
LD: Jon Merrill RD: Dmitry Kulikov
Starting Goalie: Cam Talbot
Minnesota Wild Analysis:
When it comes to how the Wild started the 2021-2022 season, it is easy to understand how winning makes fans forget about the team’s issues. The Minnesota Wild are 5-1 after their first six games, but won most of these games while either starting from behind and coming back, or blowing an early lead and still coming back. The Minnesota Wild are being led offensively from the likes of Mats Zuccarello, Krill Kaprizov and Joel Erikkson EK, who have provided the Wild with strong offensive comebacks early on in the season. The Minnesota Wild will need to continue to be consistent about putting pucks on the net against the Avalanche, and avoid taking an early- goal deficit. While the Minnesota Wild were able to consistently comeback in the first four games of the season, their game against the Nashville Predators this past Sunday(October 23rd) proves they are still vulnerable against early-goal deficits. The Minnesota Wild have been division rivals with the Colorado Avalanche since its early inception, and will play tough to keep their momentum going. Avoiding an early-goal deficit however, will be key for a Minnesota Wild victory.
Key Player To Watch For On The Minnesota Wild: Mats Zuccarello
Leading the team in points after their first six games and adding offensive value both goals-wise and assist-wise, Zuccarello will look to take on a vulnerable Avalanche defense with strong fundamental hockey, and help give the Wild an offensive edge in this game.
Make sure to tune into Bally Sports Plus to watch the Colorado Avalanche take on the Minnesota Wild live in Denver.