Thursday October 9, 2014

Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul

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Thursday night, the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild drop the puck on the first game of the season for both clubs.   The teams will renew a rivalry that could be one of the best to watch for this season. 

In the 2013-2014 season, the Colorado Avalanche made it to the first round of the playoffs behind the tutelage of Coach of the Year Patrick Roy.  The former goalie brought the intensity that he displayed on the ice to the bench and it seemed to rub off on his Avalanche team.   The young team blasted through the regular season, tying the franchise record for wins along the way.  But for all that they did in the regular season, it was all for naught in the playoffs.  They fought mightily but fell to their season opening opponents, the Minnesota Wild, in 7 games. Colorado could start the season with a win and start the march to another playoff spot against the team that ended their season last year.       

The Minnesota Wild will look to deal the Avalanche another loss just as they did in their playoff series.  The Wild didn’t advance past the next round but they served notice that they would be a team to watch.  The road to the playoffs last season wasn’t easy but the Wild shook off injuries and spotty play that they hope that they can avoid this season.  With a mix of veterans and young talent, the Wild have the potential to be one of the Western Conference’s top teams.  But the rest of the season could hinge on how they come out of the gates against a team that they could very well face once again in the playoffs. 

Injuries to Watch

Colorado Avalanche

10/06/14 LW Jamie McGinn Back "?" Thursday vs. Minnesota
10/06/14 RW Jesse Winchester Concussion out indefinitely
10/06/14 C John Mitchell Migraine out indefinitely
10/06/14 LW Patrick Bordeleau Back out indefinitely

Minnesota Wild

09/18/14 GO Josh Harding Foot out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota

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