Wild-Colorado game preview
March 19, 2019 at 5:02AM
Colorado brings a hot goaltender
Preview: The Wild concludes its five-game homestand after signing free-agent Gophers goalie Mat Robson to a two-year, entry-level contract Monday that starts immediately. Robson will report to the Wild, but he isn't playoff-eligible and won't be able to play in the American Hockey League until next season. Robson also doesn't count as the Wild's fourth and final non-emergency recall.
Players to watch: Avalanche G Philipp Grubauer has three shutouts in his past five starts. C Nathan MacKinnon has nine points in his past six games. Wild F Ryan Donato is producing at a point-per-game pace since his team debut Feb. 21
Numbers: Colorado is 4-5-1 in its past 10 games. The Wild power play has scored in three straight games. Its 16 power-play goals by defensemen are tops in the NHL.
Injuries: Wild Fs Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) and Mikko Koivu (torn ACL and meniscus) and D Matt Dumba (torn pectoral) are out. Avalanche Fs Gabriel Landeskog (upper body), Matt Nieto (lower body) and Vladislav Kamenev (shoulder) and D Conor Timmins (concussion) are also out.
SARAH MCLELLAN
about the writer
The mobile defenseman helped Team USA to another gold medal at the world juniors, and is thriving at Denver.
