8 p.m. at Colorado • Pepsi Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Franchise records on the doorstep
Preview: The Wild, which could learn its first-round opponent is St. Louis if the Blues get a point and the Predators lose in regulation Thursday, plays its second-to-last game. The Wild, 3-1-2 in its past six overall, is 14-4-2 in its past 20 at Colorado and 10-3-1 record in its past 14 overall against the Avalanche, including six shutout victories. A win would give the Wild 48 wins and 104 points, matching franchise records.
Players to watch: Wild C Eric Staal has a point in eight of his past nine games. LW Nino Niederreiter has two two-goal games in the past four. C Martin Hanzal has three goals and 12 points in 18 games with the Wild. LW Zach Parise has 14 goals and 31 points in 28 games against Colorado. Avs LW Gabriel Landeskog has 10 goals and 19 points in 28 meetings with Minnesota, while C Matt Duchene has 18 points in 38 meetings.
Numbers: Minnesota has 105 points against Colorado all-time, its second-most against any franchise. … The Wild has outscored Colorado 42-19 and has outshot the Avalanche 472-363 in the past 14 games.
Injuries: Wild LW Jason Zucker (lower body) is probable. D Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is questionable. LW/RW Chris Stewart (sick) is out. Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov (groin) and D Nikita Zadorov (ankle) are out. D Anton Lindholm (leg), RW Mikko Rantanen (lower body) and LW Blake Comeau (leg) are questionable.
Michael Russo
