Wild returns to the road for two-game series at Colorado

DENVER – After sweeping a five-game homestand in St. Paul, the Wild will find out if that momentum made the trip to Denver when the team takes on the Avalanche Thursday night at Ball Arena – the first of two in a row at Colorado.

Defenseman Brad Hunt will draw in for Carson Soucy, who was suspended Wednesday one game for charging Arizona's Conor Garland in the 3-0 win on Tuesday.

Cam Talbot will get the start in net for the Wild even though Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves for the shutout Tuesday to record his ninth straight victory.

"We debated it, for sure," coach Dean Evason said of the goaltending decision.

Injured forward Marcus Johansson didn't travel to Denver, but Evason believes Johansson could be available next week. Johansson has missed the last 14 games with an upper-body injury.

"We felt that he was better off getting really good work back home," Evason said.

The last time these two teams faced off was when the Wild was on its six-game win streak, shrugging off the Avalanche 6-2 on Feb.24.

"We have a do a good job of getting the heck out of our defensive zone," Evason said. "I think they lead the league in possession in the offensive zone. So, when we can dislodge pucks and get going the other way, that's what we have to do clearly.

"And then once we get down into their zone, we want to make them play as much defense as they can so that maybe they don't have enough energy to play offense."

Projected lineup:

Jordan Greenway-Ryan Hartman-Kevin Fiala

Kirill Kaprizov-Victor Rask-Mats Zuccarello

Nico Sturm-Nick Bonino-Luke Johnson

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba

Ian Cole-Brad Hunt

Cam Talbot

8-5-1: Record for the Wild on the road this season.

12-2-2: Run by the Wild since Feb.18.

37: Points for the Wild after 27 games, which ties the franchise record for most points through 27 games.

30: Goals by the Wild in the first period.

.918: Save percentage by Wild goalies.