Faceoff Factor

Minnesota Wild Vs Colorado Avalanche Playoff Series Preview

Mike Adams | National Hockey League

Apr 8, 02:04 PM | Hype this story!

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Wild (3) vs. Avalanche (6) Conference Quarterfinals Preview
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A quick glance at the totals shows just how close these two teams are. Goals scored: Colorado 224, Minnesota 220. Goals allowed: Colorado 216, Minnesota 210. But there are subtle differences, too. Minnesota’s special teams were far superior to those of the Avs, and that could prove huge in a long series between evenly-matched teams.

The Wild won the balanced Northwest Division, finishing a mere three points ahead of Colorado. After being physically manhandled by Anaheim in last year’s playoffs, GM Doug Risebrough and Coach Jacques Lemaire placed an emphasis on getting tougher up front. They’ve added Chris Simon and Todd Fedoruk, who can often be seen riding shotgun with sniper Marian Gaborik. But is this a help or a hindrance? Under Lemaire, the Wild are always solid defensively, though they are a bit banged up on the blueline after the gruesome injury to Kurtis Foster and Monday’s news that Nick Schultz had an emergency appendectomy. The goaltending has been solid, with Nicklas Backstrom carrying much of the load. The question, as always with the Wild is, can they score enough to win a long series? They have added precious little offense since last year, and Gaborik is forced to shoulder much of the load. Their third leading goal scorer, Mark Parrish, has actually been a healthy scratch in many games down the stretch.

Scoring is not an issue for Colorado. Health is. They brought back Peter Forsberg, but he missed numerous games down the stretch with nagging injuries. They are working Joe Sakic and super youngster Paul Stastny back into the lineup after injuries derailed both their seasons. They are still without Marek Svatos and a couple key defensemen. Colorado’s defensemen are suspect, though the addition of playoff warrior Adam Foote will help. Goaltending had been a question mark for them, but Jose Theodore has seemingly experienced a rebirth in the mountain air. They play a much more conservative style under Coach Joel Quenneville, who is sure to experience heat if the Avs bomb out early. He doesn’t have a good playoff resume, making it to the conference finals only once in eight playoff appearances.

This series is close enough that the special teams might well make the difference. If Colorado can get their power play untracked with most of its key guys healthy, they will have a shot at the upset. If The Wild’s special teams can come through like they have all year, look for them to advance. Either way, look for this one to co the distance.

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Team Numbers
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Standings
Minnesota: 44-28-10; 98 pts; 1st Northwest; 3rd Western; 7th NHL
Colorado: 44-31-7; 95 pts; 2nd Northwest; 6th Western; 10th NHL

Records
Minnesota: 25-11-5 at home; 19-17-5 on the road; 5-2-1 vs. Col; 6-2-2 in last 10
Colorado: 27-12-2 at home; 17-19-5 on the road; 3-4-1 vs. Min; 5-4-1 in last 10

Special Teams
Minnesota: PP, 18.9% (8th); PK, 85.2% (4th)
Colorado: PP, 14.6% (28th); PK, 81.4% (21st)

Scoring
Minnesota: 220 GF (18th); 210 GA (8th)
Colorado: 224 GF (15th); 216 GA (12th)

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Player Leaders
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Goals
Minnesota: Gaborik (42); Rolston (31); Parrish (16)
Colorado: Hejduk (29); Svatos (26); Stastny (24)

Assists
Minnesota: Bouchard (50); Gaborik (41); Demitra (39)
Colorado: Stastny (47); Brunette (40); Wolski (30)

Points
Minnesota: Gaborik (83); Bouchard (63); Rolston (59)
Colorado: Stastny (71); Brunette (59); Hejduk (54)

Penalty Minutes
Minnesota: Voros (141); Fedoruk (106); Burns (80)
Colorado: Laperriere (140); McLeod (120); Parker (70)

Wins
Minnesota: Backstrom (33); Harding (11)
Colorado: Theodore (28); Budaj (16)

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Injuries
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Minnesota: Foster, DTD (leg); Kelly, DTD (ankle); Nummelin, DTD (groin); Schultz, DTD (appendix)
Colorado: Clark, IR (shoulder); Leopold, DTD (hip); Parker, DTD (ankle); Svatos, DTD (knee)

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Series Schedule
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(All times EDT)

Game 1: April 9 at 9:00 in Min; FSN North & Altitude
Game 2: April 11 at 9:00 in Min; Versus
Game 3: April 14 at 10:00 in Col; Versus
Game 4: April 15 at 10:00 in Col; Versus

Game 5: April 17 at 9:00 in Min (if needed); FSN North & Altitude
Game 6: April 19 at TBD in Col (if needed); Versus
Game 7: April 21 at TBD in Min (if needed); TBD