Fri Jan 10 00:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Avalanche Aim for Rebound Against Injury-Riddled Wild

**DENVER, CO** – The Colorado Avalanche look to swiftly rebound from a disappointing loss to the Chicago Blackhawks when they face the Minnesota Wild tonight. The game, airing on Altitude, Altitude+, and ESPN+ (out of market), marks a crucial test for Colorado, who saw their eight-game point streak snapped Wednesday.

Despite outshooting the Blackhawks, the Avalanche struggled with defensive miscues and lacked offensive production from their top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen, who combined for only two shots on goal. “Our execution wasn’t there,” Makar commented after the game.

Tonight’s opponent, the Minnesota Wild, presents a formidable challenge. While boasting one of the league’s best defenses (allowing 2.66 goals per game), their penalty kill is a relative weakness at under 71%, offering an opportunity for Colorado’s power play. However, the Wild are currently on a four-game win streak, fueled by recent success despite a long list of injuries.

Minnesota’s injury woes are particularly acute on defense, with top pairing Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin both sidelined. The Wild are also facing uncertainty in goal, as starting goalie Filip Gustavsson will be backed up by either a struggling Marc-Andre Fleury (illness) or an emergency backup goalie (EBUG), after their recently signed AHL goalie was injured.

The Avalanche will counter with goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood, who has been impressive since joining the team (7-1-1 record, 1.69 GAA, .938 save percentage). Jonathan Drouin remains questionable for Colorado, potentially leading to a lineup shift.

The Avalanche need a strong performance from their star players to overcome the Wild’s resilient defense and unpredictable goaltending situation. The game promises a hard-fought contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes and injury situations.

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