The Colorado Avalanche face off against the Minnesota Wild in one of the biggest games to date. The Avs are currently fourth in the Central Division with 57 points. Meanwhile, the Wild are third with 58 points.
While the Avs are comfortably in the first wildcard spot in the Western Conference, the club is looking to move into third place in Central, thereby solidifying their playoff position.
A win would do that. The two points in regulation would help the Avs leapfrog a struggling Wild team that’s lost three in a row heading into Monday afternoon’s action. The Wild are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games, with the Avs slightly better at 6-3-1.
At the moment, the Avs are coming off a big win over the Dallas Stars, another team the Avs are chasing in the standings. The Stars have turned their game around, and are now creeping up on the Winnipeg Jets.
As for Colorado, there has been some significant separation between them and the St. Louis Blues, who trail the Avs by nine points. That gives the top four teams in the Central some breathing room as they jockey for position.
But the fact is that the Avs need to get their overall game rolling as there is a little less than half the season left. Points are now becoming more precious than ever. So, it makes sense for the Avs to turn up the heat as the club looks to punch its postseason ticket.
It’s worth pointing out that if the Avs can remain in third place the rest of the way, and nothing else chances, the Stars and Avs will be destined for another playoff meeting. If that’s the case, the Avs will be in tough. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time Colorado faces a tough, first-round opponent.