Wild vs. Avalanche game preview: Broadcast info, stats and analysis

Sarah McLellan's breakdown: Wild try to end five-game losing streak in nationally televised game against Colorado.

November 24, 2023 at 7:46PM
Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar skates during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Dallas. The Avalanche won 6-3. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Defenseman Cale Makar has scored 18 points in his last eight games for the Avalanche. (Julio Cortez, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WILD GAMEDAY

vs. Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center: 7:30 p.m. Friday

TV; radio: TNT; 100.3 FM

Stats and analytics: Tap here.

Pregame reading: lf you missed Sunday's story on Swedish hockey's development system, here it is.

For the fans: There is a winter coat drive for the American Indian Family Center. New or gently used winter coats will be collected at Gates 1-5. Every fan who donates a coat will receive $50 off of select ORORO apparel.

Sarah McLellan's preview:

Opening bell: Colorado (12-6) is near the top of the division and has won four of its last five. The Avalanche are 10 points ahead of the Wild, who have dropped a season-high five straight. During this rut, the Wild (5-8-4) have played better defensively, but their offensive leaders have been quiet: forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy have combined for only one goal during the skid.

Watch him: Avalanche D Cale Makar is on a tear, picking up a whopping 18 points during an eight-game point streak. His 18 assists in a single month are a franchise record for a defenseman and after tallying a goal and assist on Wednesday, Makar became just the seventh defender in the past 30 years to record five consecutive multi-point games.

Avalance injuries: Pavel Francouz (groin), LW Gabriel Landeskog (knee), LW Artturi Lehkonen (neck) and RW Logan O'Connor (lower body). D Samuel Girard (personal reasons) did not play the last two games.

Wild moves: F Vinni Lettieri and D Dakota Mermis were assigned to Iowa on Friday as D Alex Goligoski (broken leg) was activated from LTIR.

Forecast: The Avalanche have remained contenders since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, so this would always be a challenging matchup for the Wild. But coming off a trip to Sweden and considering their losing streak, the Wild are facing a tough test. Key to a competitive battle is maintaining the improved defensive posture they've had of late — especially on the penalty kill. Also, a lead would probably do wonders for the Wild right now; they're undefeated when they're ahead after one period and 2-0-1 when they're up going into the third.

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about the writer

Sarah McLellan

Minnesota Wild and NHL

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Star Tribune in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The Arizona Republic.

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