Well the Wild got a taste of what a legitimate Stanley Cup contender looks and feels like, last night at the XCEL Energy Center as they faced the Colorado Avalanche for the first time this season. The result was not pretty by any means and that was not even the worst news coming out of the game either.

During the game last night it was learned that Wild top draft choice, Marco Rossi, had returned to his native Austria to rest as the effects from COVID-19 are the reason he has been sidelined. He tested positive after playing one game with the ZSC Lions of the Swiss professional league. He missed all of November and then was cleared to play for Austria in the World Junior Championships which was played in Edmonton.

Following Austria's elimination from the tournament Rossi came to St. Paul, where he was put through testing protocol set forth by the league for anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19. Through that further testing he was not cleared to play and has been sent home to rest. He will return to Minnesota in six weeks to be evaluated but he will not play at all this season.

That is a big blow to the Wild, who have a gaping hole at the center ice position. It was not believed that Rossi would be with the big club for the entire season this year anyway but would at the very least get the six games to see what he could do and to also give him exposure to the NHL. The bigger blow here is the fact that Rossi will not be playing competitive hockey this season and the effects that may have on his development.

If that was not bad enough news the Wild, who were already playing without their top player, in Kevin Fiala, lost both Marcus Johansson and Matt Dumba to injury during the game.

Dumba's injury appears to be of a serious nature as he got caught up with Jordan Greenway's skate and went down awkwardly to the ice. Dumba left the ice without putting any weight on his right leg. He is definitely out tonight and we await the diagnosis as to the full extent of that injury.

Johansson also left the game and no word on his status as of yet.

Back to the game on the ice, which was a thorough domination by the Avalanche in every facet of the game. They were faster on every puck, gave the Wild very little room to operate and forced the Wild into taking penalties that led to seven Avalanche powerplays.

Dean Evason made the decision to dress Brad Hunt but strictly as a seventh defenseman and to play the powerplay. His plan was to rotate forwards into Kevin Fiala's vacated wing position. The theory behind this was to not to upset the chemistry of the other lines.

We all saw how that played out and it really is not a formula for success against any of the upper echelon clubs but especially not the Avalanche. It is pretty clear that Evason has little confidence in Gerry Mayhew at the NHL level but he may be forced into using him or Kyle Rau or Luke Johnson tonight.

Evason needs to simplify the game approach for the Wild and roll his four full lines as best he can to keep up with the faster more talented Avalanche. Staying out of the box is one area to focus and that comes down to the Wild moving their feet better.

Yes, the Avalanche are very good and their speed and talent draws a large number of penalties on its own, however some of those Wild infractions were of the lazy variety.

Expect a better focus from the Wild tonight as they make the adjustments to the speed that Colorado brings.

It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!

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