The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are set to clash tonight at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. As of January 9, 2025, both teams are in contention for playoff positioning in the Central Division, making this matchup crucial.
Team Records and Standings
- Colorado Avalanche: 25 wins, 15 losses, 1 overtime loss (51 points), currently 4th in the Central Division.
- Minnesota Wild: 26 wins, 11 losses, 4 overtime losses (56 points), currently 2nd in the Central Division.
Offensive Performance
Colorado Avalanche
- Goals Scored: 140 (3.4 goals per game)
- Goals Against: 130 (3.2 goals against per game)
- Power Play Efficiency: 23.58% (29/123)
- Penalty Kill Rate: 77.6%
- Shots on Goal: 1,211 (Shooting Percentage: 11.5%)
- Goaltending Save Percentage: .881
Minnesota Wild
- Goals Scored: 125 (3.0 goals per game)
- Goals Against: 109 (2.66 goals against per game)
- Power Play Efficiency: 19.05% (20/105)
- Penalty Kill Rate: 70.71%
- Shots on Goal: 1,163 (Shooting Percentage: 10.75%)
- Goaltending Save Percentage: .909
Both teams are entering this matchup with strong recent performances; Colorado has won four of their last five games, while Minnesota has also secured victories in their last four outings.
Injury Report
Colorado Avalanche
- Jonathan Drouin – Questionable
- Valeri Nichushkin – Out
Minnesota Wild
- Marc-Andre Fleury – Questionable
- Jonas Brodin – Out
- Dylan Ferguson – Out
- Brock Faber – Out
Starting Goaltenders
- Colorado Avalanche: Mackenzie Blackwood
- Minnesota Wild: Filip Gustavsson
Home/Away Performance
| Team | Home Record | Away Record | Goal Differential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 12-7-0 | 13-8-1 | +10 |
| Minnesota | 11-8-1 | 15-3-3 | +20 |
Minnesota’s home performance has been less dominant compared to their away record, suggesting a potential vulnerability at home.
Special Teams Analysis
Colorado’s power play is significantly more efficient than Minnesota’s, which could be a decisive factor in a close game. The Avalanche’s penalty kill is also superior, which may limit the Wild’s scoring opportunities on the power play.
Coaching Strategies and Head-to-Head History
Both coaches have shown adaptability in their strategies. Last season, Minnesota struggled against Colorado, going winless in four matchups. Key players like Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen have historically performed well against the Wild.
Advanced Metrics and Puck Possession
Analyzing advanced metrics:
- Corsi and Fenwick: These metrics indicate puck possession trends that favor Colorado slightly.
- Face-off Win Percentage: Both teams are competitive; however, Colorado has shown a slight edge recently.
Rest and Schedule Considerations
Both teams played recently, with Colorado facing a tough loss against Chicago last night. This back-to-back situation could impact their performance due to fatigue.
Strength of Schedule
Minnesota has faced tougher opponents recently compared to Colorado, which may affect their readiness for this matchup.
Public Betting Trends and Line Movement
The betting lines reflect Colorado as road favorites at -143 with a puck line set at -1.5. The total for the game is set at 6 goals.
Predictions and Betting Recommendations
Based on this comprehensive evaluation:
Predicted Final Score
Colorado Avalanche 4 – Minnesota Wild 3
Confidence Level
Medium confidence due to both teams’ recent performances and injury concerns.
Recommended Bet Type
Consider the moneyline for Colorado given their recent form and superior special teams performance.
Player Props or Alternative Lines
Look for value in player props for Nathan MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen to score given their historical success against Minnesota.
Key Matchups to Watch
The matchup between Colorado’s top line and Minnesota’s defense will be crucial. Additionally, how well Filip Gustavsson can handle the Avalanche’s power play will significantly influence the game’s outcome.This matchup promises to be competitive as both teams vie for crucial points in the standings while showcasing some of the league’s top talents on the ice tonight at Xcel Energy Center.
