Tonight the Wild travel to Denver to face an Avalanche squad that has won just three times in their last 14 (3-9-2) and have dropped to the playoff bubble. This is a big game for both teams as they will likely battle each other for the next two and half months to see who gets in and who goes home after game 82.

The Wild off their win in Vegas Tuesday have back to back wins, but little margin for error. They appeared to be a hungry bunch against the Golden Knights playing an inspired brand of hockey getting the puck down low and out worked Vegas in the end.

They will need more of the same agains tonight against a dangerous Avalanche team that completely owned the Wild last season. The teams have split the two meetings this far this season with each winning on their home ice. Those two games occurred back in October in what seams like a season ago already. A lot has happened between the last time the two faced off for both teams.

Both have had their ups and downs and long stretches of mediocrity. But each team knows what is at stake and what they need to do in order to get to the dance.

Wild GM, Paul Fenton, has been active lately, after not making any significant deals, he has since added three players to the roster thru three separate trades over the past week.

The newest addition Brad Hunt should make his Wild debut this evening in Denver, donning the number 77 sweater. Hunt has a big shot and should see some powerplay time and is expected to lineup opposite Jonas Brodin. It is unclear which of the two will play the right side as both are left shooters, but if I had to guess it will most likely be the veteran Brodin.

Hunt was acquired as a veteran replacement for Matt Dumba, with Louie Belpedio being sent back to Iowa. By all accounts Hunt is a true professional much like, Nate Prosser, able to step into the lineup at a moments notice and deliver. He comes to work every day with the same attitude and players and coaches all have race about the character he brings to the rink.

Devan Dubnyk appears to have returned to form after a few down outings and he will be called upon heavily over the next few months. Every game is like a playoff game from here on out for the Wild, and the players are all on notice from their GM.

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

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