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Wild in the Mile High Search for Consistency |
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Wild Game Day number 81
Wild Record (47-25-8 102 pts)
Road Record (20-13-6)
Opponent: Colorado Avalanche (22-54-3 23 pts)
Home Record (13-25-2)
Site: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
Time: 8:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results:
10/8/15 Wild 5 @ Avalanche 4
12/5/15 Avalanche 0 @ Wild 3
12/7/15 Wild 1 @ Avalanche 2 (OT)
3/1/16 Avalanche 3 @ Wild 6
3/26/16 Wild 4 @ Avalanche 0
Last Result;
11/6 Wild 0 @ Avalanche 1
11/19 Avalanche 3 @ Wild 2
12/20 Avalanche 0 @ Wild 2
4/2 Avalanche 2 @ Wild 5
The final regular season road trip for the Wild takes them to Colorado and Arizona, two teams that have very little to play for in the standings. That said, they are not at all easy opponents as the players are playing loose and playing for future jobs in this league, looking to make an impression before the season ends.
The Avalanche have already beaten the Wild twice earlier this season, so nothing to take lightly at all for Bruce Boudreau's team as they search for that consistency they had for a good majority of the season.
Boudreau does have the luxury of healthy players, that he can insert into the lineup, but given the Wild's recent swoon, it will be more in line with getting players ice time that have not been playing as much of late rather than the term "rest" for the players that may be healthy scratches.
Boudreau knows that his team needs to be ready for next week and the only way to do that is to play the game and play it right every night. They have their eyes set on bigger goals this season and they begin with game 83, but don't think for a second that the team can turn it on and turn it off as is often the described attitude of the Blackhawks, by many in the media.
The Blackhawks have won three Cups, and if they do in fact turn it up or down, that is by calculation from experience, something the Wild and few if any other teams knows anything about.
The Avalanche beat the Hawks in OT on Tuesday night and have been playing a lot better of late. They can absolutely catch teams napping and steal the two points so the Wild need to be doubly prepared, first for their own sake in getting the game to be structured Wild hockey and not get complacent and play down to the level of the Avalanche.
Look for Darcy Kuemper to get the start in goal tonight and if not tonight then definitely on Saturday if not both games. Kuemper needs to play and the team has to work well in front of his to keep the same continuity that they showed in the games that Alex Stalock played last week.
Goaltending is huge in the playoffs and the question marks surrounding the Wild goaltending, Devan Dubnyk included are a bit worrysome to say the least. That all hopefully becomes a moot point once the playoffs begin, but for now confidence building is key to whichever goalie is between the pipes for the Wild.
No bad habits is the key to tonight and Saturday in Arizona.
Want to also acknowledge one of my very favorite players, who passed away yesterday, Ilkka Sinisalo. Sinisalo of course was a very good player during his career during the 80s for the Philadelphia Flyers and did play a half season with the North Stars during the 1990-91 season. RIP Ilkka a class act on and off the ice.
Also best wishes and prayers for Kyle Okposo.
It's Always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!
Let's Play Hockey!
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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