The Colorado Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon make their return to Ball Arena in Denver, CO, tonight for an interdivisional matchup with on-again, off-again rival Minnesota Wild. The Avs suffered defeat to the Wild in a tense shootout back in November, but bounced back with a commanding 5-1 victory at the end of the calendar year. This third out of four meetings this season could swing the divisional series in the loaded Central.

Nathan MacKinnon, returning to NHL ice for the first time since Canada’s heartbreaking 2-1 overtime silver-medal loss to Team USA in the Milano Cortina gold final, carries the sting of that agonizing missed open-net chance late in regulation and the media storm from his candid post-game remarks that many viewed as implying Canada was the superior squad despite getting the full quote and context.

Colorado Avalanche: 38-9-9

The Opponent: Minnesota Wild (34-14-10)

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Rumors of lingering fatigue or bumps from the intense Olympic tournament swirl, yet after routine maintenance rest in Wednesday’s 4-2 road win over the Utah Mammoth, MacKinnon will be back on the top line. Will we see a slightly subdued MacKinnon, still processing the gut-wrenching near-miss and relentless spotlight, or the unleashed version ready to set the hockey world on fire once more?

The Wild had eight Olympians representing their countries, including Americans Matt Boldy (who scored in the gold thriller) and Brock Faber, likely still fuzzy from Team USA’s triumphant celebration after claiming gold. Swedish starter Filip Gustavsson brings fresh momentum, as Minnesota rides a five-game win streak (8-1-1 in their last 10) into the break. Let’s see how post-Olympic energy—or fatigue—factors into this always-intense rivalry clash, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.

The Avalanche made pretty easy work of the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City last night, cruising to a 4-2 road victory with a dynamic four-goal second period. Interestingly enough, the power play—still mired near the league’s basement—scored on its first opportunity while MacKinnon-less, and more ironically, it was Martin Necas ripping a one-timer from the exact left-circle spot Bednar called “MacKinnon’s spot” postgame with Evan Rawal.

I think this should go without saying, but a power play that’s been stubbornly ineffective for over five years (hovering around 15% this season) shouldn’t be reserving sacred real estate for anyone. This rigid approach has plagued the Colorado Avalanche for far too long. Nonetheless, it was encouraging to see the man advantage unit clip at a respectable 20% in their return to action, with Necas capping the scoring.

The key to any back-to-back situation is managing the start of the second game. Avs should have plenty of legs after the Olympic break, though some Olympians didn’t get full rest and return with heavy mileage. Let’s see if the Avalanche can jump out strong tonight, push their momentum forward, and extend this newfound winning streak to three games against a hungry Wild squad.

MacKenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

The Wild have made things in the Central Division a bit more interesting, riding a sizzling five-game winning streak into tonight’s contest (8-1-1 in their last 10 pre-break, now 34-14-10 for 78 points). They haven’t been afraid to pay up and swing big deals to acquire elite talent, with Quinn Hughes bolstering the backend in a blockbuster trade and Kirill Kaprizov inked to one of the NHL’s richest contracts ever—and it’s paying dividends on the ice.

That’s exactly why winning the division outright matters so much. The Avs would be wise to delay any Central Division playoff matchup until the second round if possible.

Keep an eye on who the Wild decide to go with between the pipes, as both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt vie for the starter’s net after Wallstedt’s surprise rookie surge this season. Wallstedt has also been the subject of heavy trade rumors due to Minnesota’s goaltending surplus, with GM Bill Guerin eyeing more forward upgrades before the deadline.

Filip Gustavsson
Jesper Wahlstedt