Wild Vs Avalanche Game 4 Preview
Mike Adams | National Hockey League
Apr 15, 01:15 PM | Hype this story!
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Wild (3) vs. Avalanche (6) Game 4
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Series Score: Wild 2 – Avalanche 1
Game Time: 10:00 EDT
Location: Pepsi Center (Colorado)
Television: Versus
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Preview
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Three games, three overtime games. Three 3-2 games. It doesn’t get any closer than this series. Colorado won Game 1 to steal home ice advantage, but the Wild reclaimed it with their Game 3 overtime victory. The teams are right back at it tonight.
The Wild are up 2-1 in the series despite a continuing lack of production from star Marian Gaborik, so they must consider themselves fortunate to be where they are. They have also rallied in the third period of each game to push it to overtime. As usual, they are getting contributions from a large number of players. In Game 3, it was Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston leading the way. Rolston set up the winner last night when he negated an icing by beating Jeff Finger to the puck when it took a bad bounce along the boards. Niklas Backstrom was brilliant, stopping 43 Avalanche shots. He made the difference in regulation, as the Avs carried the play for long stretches.
Colorado has led in the third period every game, but has been unable to close the deal. They have been outscored 8-3 in the third period and overtime. Jose Theodore has been good, but he’s not shutting the door when given a chance. Their power play has struggled, as it did most of the year. Last night, they gave up several good scoring chances while up a man. Like the Wild they have gotten nothing from one of their star players. Paul Stastny has yet to record a point and is -3. He has got to be better if Colorado is to have a chance.
There is no telling what will happen tonight, except we know the final score will likely be 3-2.
For a complete list of team leaders and statistics, click here.
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Injuries
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Minnesota: Foster, DTD (leg); Kelly, DTD (ankle); Schultz, DTD (appendix); Parrish (head)
Colorado: Clark, IR (shoulder); Leopold, DTD (hip); Parker, DTD (ankle); Svatos, DTD (knee)
Comments
Eric
Apr 15, 08:56 PM
This has been a good series. Not great, despite the games going to OT. But, these teams are playing good hockey.
This and the BOS / MTL series have been my 2 favorites (aside from the PIT / OTT, for obvious reasons)
Ashley Gallant
Apr 16, 12:32 PM
I was quite surprised that this game didn’t end in a 3-2 OT decision, like it has for the last 5 playoff games between these two teams.
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