On Saturday night the FIRST-PLACE Colorado Avalanche rode a pair of goals each from Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon and 20 saves from Darcy Kuemper to a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
The win improved the 'Avs to 24-8-3 and moved them into first place in the Central for the first time this season. Colorado's .729 winning percentage is the third-best in the NHL.
- With his effort, MacKinnon moved into seventh all-time on the 'Avs franchise goals leaderboard, passing Peter Forsberg.
- It was Kuemper's first shutout of the season and marked a positive sign for the 'Avs between the pipes. Both Francouz and Kuemper have put in solid efforts recently and that's all we can hope for at this point.
- Nazem Kadri also scored a goal in his 700th career game. It was his 24th point in his last 15 games. He remains white-hot and I'm here for it.
- Colorado improved to 7-0-1 in its last eight games and earned at least a point for the 15th time in 16 games (13-1-2).
But that was against Arizona. The Minnesota Wild is on a whole different level.
The Wild are fourth in the Central Division with 46 points and a 22-10-2 record. They are just 5-4-1 in the last 10 games but have won the last three in a row.
Mnnesita is led is coring by Mats Zucarello. Zuccarello has 30 points this season (11g, 19a) in 28 games played this season. The right-winger has eight points during his current five-game point streak.
Colorado won the previous meeting between these two clubs. Gabriel Landeskog had two goals and two assists for the 'Avs in a 4-1 win against Minnesota back in October.
Should be a fun one on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Lastly, the Avalanche are averaging 4.32 goals per game if you're still keeping track at home.
Thanks for reading, Steve