The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild collide tonight in a testing clash between the two hottest teams in the NHL. Both teams are riding dominant winning streaks, with Colorado on a remarkable 10-game winning streak and Minnesota having won 6 consecutive games. This Central Division showdown marks the season’s first matchup between these rivals.
🔥 Quick Facts
Colorado leads with 39 points through 23 games (17-1-5 record), riding a three-game shutout streak.
Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avalanche with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in the league’s top-10 scoring.
Minnesota improved to 13-7-4 after beating Chicago 4-3 in overtime on November 26, extending their point streak to 9 games.
First divisional matchup of the season at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, November 28 at 1:30 p.m. MT.
Two Elite Offenses Clash in High-Scoring Threat
Both teams have been exceptional scoring machines during their recent runs. Colorado features a potent Big Three in MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, all posting 30+ points this season. Necas has been particularly dominant on the season with 30 points through just 23 games.
Minnesota counters with Kirill Kaprizov leading the way with 28 points, though the star winger was limited early in the season. Matt Boldy matches Kaprizov‘s output at 28 points, giving the Wild balanced offensive firepower.
Defensive Dominance Defines the Avalanche’s Streak
Team Stat
Avalanche
Wild
Record
17-1-5
13-7-4
Win Streak
10 straight wins
6 straight wins
Recent Shutouts
3 consecutive
4 in last 8 games
Leading Scorer
Nathan MacKinnon (39 pts)
Kirill Kaprizov (28 pts)
What makes Colorado‘s run particularly impressive is their exceptional defense. The Avalanche have recorded three consecutive shutouts, the latest a 6-0 victory over San Jose on November 26. Scott Wedgewood recorded 22 saves in that dominant shutout performance.
Minnesota has also tightened their defensive structure, posting four shutouts in their last eight games. Rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been particularly sharp with a .935 save percentage, 1.94 goals-against average, and a 6-0-2 record including three shutouts.
Young Wild Talent Going Up Against Playoff Experience
Minnesota‘s strength lies in their emerging young talent. Defenseman Brock Faber (22 years old) has accumulated 15 points from the blue line, while 19-year-old rookie Zeev Buium has contributed 11 points. This youth movement has dramatically improved Minnesota‘s playoff positioning after a rough early-season start.
Colorado counters with championship-tested veterans like Cale Makar, who leads NHL defensemen in scoring pace. The Avalanche‘s depth is evident across their lineup, with contributions from role players like Joel Kiviranta, recently returned from a 17-game absence due to lower body injury, who scored in Colorado‘s recent victory over San Jose.
Goaltender Battle Will Determine the Matchup
Back-to-back games for both teams adds intrigue to the starting goaltender question. Colorado has dual netminders in excellent form with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, likely splitting the matinee contests. Minnesota‘s Wallstedt is expected to get the start after Filip Gustavsson started Wednesday’s overtime win against Chicago.
The Wild‘s defensive intensity and emerging goaltending will be tested by Colorado‘s elite offensive weapons. Both teams have established themselves as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders just 24 games into the season, making this divisional matchup one of the most important early-season tests.
Will the Avalanche extend their historic 10-game winning streak, or can the resilient Wild claim their seventh straight triumph?
This matchup represents far more than a mid-season divisional game. With Colorado authoring one of the most dominant starts in NHL history and Minnesota demonstrating remarkable recovery after early struggles, tonight’s result could establish both teams’ playoff trajectory. The winner gains significant momentum in the Central Division race.
Sources
NHL.com – Official game preview and team statistics
ESPN – Power rankings and performance analysis
Colorado Hockey Now – Team-specific coverage and lineups
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.