The Wild hasn't had much success against the Avalanche this season, going 1-2 with the team surrendering 14 goals in the pair of losses.
But it has a chance to even the season series when it hosts the Avalanche Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center, the final meeting between these two teams.
"We haven't matched up well against these guys at all," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We haven't done anything good. We won in a shootout, and we've gotten our butts kicked. So we have to change some things, and hopefully we will tonight and see what the game brings."
What headlined the 7-2 and 7-1 wins by the Avalanche was the group's speed and tenacity on the puck. The team transitioned with pace, enabling it to not only get to the Wild's zone but also generate plenty of possession time in front of the net.
Asked the best way to slow Colorado down, Boudreau said, "To have the puck but manage the puck right. But at the same time, they've got speed. You can't give them odd-man rushes because their defensemen are so active and into the play."
The Wild will roll out a different look Tuesday with defenseman Nick Seeler ready to return. He missed the previous three games with a right biceps strain and the flu.
"He's fine," Boudreau said. "Ready to play."
Projected lineup:
Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Nino Niederreiter
Jason Zucker-Eric Staal-Mikael Granlund
Tyler Ennis-Matt Cullen-Charlie Coyle
Marcus Foligno-Joel Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik
Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba
Nick Seeler-Nate Prosser
Devan Dubnyk
Key numbers:
.926: Save percentage for goalie Devan Dubnyk in 29 career games against the Avalanche.
199: Career wins for Dubnyk.
7-2: The Wild's record in its last nine games vs. Colorado.
38: Points for center Matt Cullen in 60 career games against the Avalanche, his most career points vs. any team.
1: Win for Colorado in its last four games.
About the Avalanche:
The Avalanche is sitting in the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 80 points. It's in the midst of a seven-game point streak, going 4-0-3 in that span. Center Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in points-per-game at 1.35 and is tied for fourth in points with 81. Tyson Barrie leads the team's defense in points (46), goals (10) and assists (36). Colorado has the youngest active roster in the league, with an average age of 25.4.
