It was pretty much assumed the Avalanche\u2019s second-round opponent would be the Dallas Stars.<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Wild would like a word \u2014 and a series.<\/p>\n
The Wild beat the Stars 5-2 Thursday night, winning their first-round series against Dallas in six games and setting up a matchup with the Avalanche.<\/p>\n
While the series schedule was not announced Thursday night, it will be the Avalanche and Wild\u2019s fourth postseason meeting. The Avs hold a 1-2 record. The last time the two franchises met was in 2014, when the Wild beat the Avalanche in seven games. That was Nathan MacKinnon\u2019s rookie season.<\/p>\n
Colorado eliminated the Wild in six games in 2008, while the Wild beat the Avalanche in seven in 2003. This is the first time they\u2019ve met beyond the first round.<\/p>\n
While some might be surprised Minnesota was able to get past Dallas, they probably shouldn\u2019t be. For the majority of the season, the Wild were one of the better teams in the NHL, finishing with 104 points. They finished just outside the top 10 in goals scored while allowing the fifth-fewest goals against in the NHL. The season series between the Avalanche and Wild was pretty even, with each coming away with a regulation and shootout win in the four matchups.<\/p>\n
Like the Avalanche, the Wild entered the playoffs with two very capable goaltenders. The Wild used only one during the first round. Jesper Wallstedt, a 23-year-old rookie and former first-round pick, was given the net against Dallas and never looked back, playing extremely well in his first foray into NHL postseason action.<\/p>\n
Minnesota is led up front by its star wingers, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Kaprizov will be the highest-paid player in the NHL starting next season after signing a massive extension last summer that will see him carry a cap hit of $17 million. He\u2019s held up his end of the bargain, potting 45 goals and picking up 89 points. Boldy has become the engine up front for the Wild. Always a good player, he took another step this season to become a star, scoring 42 goals and becoming a menace in all situations.<\/p>\n
The Wild made a massive splash earlier in the season, acquiring defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, giving themselves a top defensive pair that could go toe-to-toe with any around the league. Hughes picked up 53 points in 48 games with Minnesota, spending most of his time paired with Brock Faber, who picked up 51 points himself. Hughes and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar are considered to be two of the best defensemen in the world, and this series will be the first time they face each other in the postseason.<\/p>\n
The series schedule likely will be released once the first round has concluded.<\/p>\n
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