Avs Look To Channel Emotions Versus Wild

Facing a division foe can bring a lot of emotions to a game, and the Colorado Avalanche will look to utilize that energy as it hosts the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center tonight.
Minnesota currently holds the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and is two points ahead of the Avalanche.
"It's a big rivalry and these points are huge," said veteran Blake Comeau. "You look at the standings, and we are neck and neck. We can go into the break feeling pretty good about ourselves with a win tonight. That being said, we know that they are going to be a desperate team."

The contest is Colorado's last before the league-mandated bye week, where the players and coaches will get to refocus and reset away from the rink. But before the team can start thinking about time off, the Minnesota Wild poses a tough task.
Emotions will be high before the start of the game as the Avs will be retiring former Colorado captain Milan Hejduk's No. 23 jersey. He will become the sixth player in Avalanche history to have his sweater raised to the rafters of Pepsi Center.
"A bit of a different night tonight with the celebration going on," said Comeau. "I think everyone is excited to see it and be a part of it, but we can't let that effect our start. We have to be ready to go right away. We know that they are going to be coming here to play hungry, get the win so we got to make sure that our start is good."

The ceremony will start at 5:45 p.m. and the building is expected to be full of a lively and energetic bunch of fans.
"It should be a good crowd. [We got to] try to keep this thing going and [remember] the importance of the two points," said Bednar. "There are a lot of things to get excited for, it's a big test for our team. It's going to be a challenge, but another test for us and a measuring stick here halfway through the year just to see where we are at. I would like to see our guys rise to the occasion here tonight and play our best hockey."
The Avs are 7-2-1 in their last 10 contests and are 4-1-0 through the first five outings of its season-long, six-game homestand. Minnesota has won its last two matchups and is 5-5-0 in its previous 10 games.
"I think there is certainly no love lost between the two teams and you feel that from our fan base and you sense that from the guys in our room," said Bednar. "I think it's good to have rivals, I think they bring the best out in one another. In order to have a real, true rivalry, you have to be competitive and you have to be in the mix and that's where we are right now. I think it makes for a fun game tonight and again I think we are hoping our team comes out to compete and be determined and pay attention to the details like we have recently."
The Avalanche is in a tough stretch with its next four games coming against Western Conference teams, who are all between 45 and 49 points.
Colorado is 21-16-3 with 45 points and will play at the Dallas Stars (49 points) on Dec. 13 before hosting the Anaheim Ducks (47 points) and the San Jose Sharks (48 points) on Jan. 15 and 18, respectively.
"On a night like this at home you want to make sure you put your best foot forward," said Bednar. "I think it's easier to do with some emotion attached to tonight's game, and that halfway mark of the season. I think it's a spot where we want to be in--winning this game tonight and going into the break on a good note."

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS

Colorado's special teams have been exceptional with the power play recently going 10-for-34 (29.4 percent) in its last nine games. The Avs man-advantage unit is fourth in the NHL with a 26.7-percent success rate on home ice.
The penalty kill has also been effective, especially in the Mile High City. The Avalanche killed off 36 consecutive penalties from Dec. 7 to Jan. 2 and has allowed one power-play tally in 16 chances through the first five games of its six-game homestand.
"I think we have done a good job lately of being committed to playing away from the puck," said Comeau. "Playing good defensive hockey and our special teams have been outstanding for us. I think that has been a big reason why we have been able to string four together, and that's something we got to continue moving forward."
The Wild also has a top penalty-kill unit as it is fourth overall, killing 84.3 percent of its penalties.
"I just think we have to remember why we have been successful here and keep on doing the things we have been talking about," said Patrik Nemeth. "Be consistent with our play and be strong on the PK and the power play."

SAME LINEUP

After the Avalanche's optional morning skate, Bednar said he will not be making any changes to his lineup tonight against the Wild.
Jonathan Bernier will appear in his fourth straight game and start in net for the second contest in a row, while defenseman Andrei Mironov will be the lone healthy scratch.
Colorado has recently suffered four injuries, including forwards Sven Andrighetto (lower body) and J.T. Compher (upper body) and goaltender Semyon Varlamov (lower body), who are all listed as day-to-day. All three Avalanche players could return to action following the team's bye week on Jan. 13 at the Dallas Stars.
Defenseman Tyson Barrie (hand) is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after getting hurt on Dec. 23 at the Arizona Coyotes.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Gabriel Landeskog - Nathan MacKinnon - Mikko Rantanen
A.J. Greer - Alex Kerfoot - Nail Yakupov
Blake Comeau - Carl Soderberg - Matt Nieto
Gabriel Bourque - Tyson Jost - Colin Wilson
Nikita Zadorov- Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth - Mark Barberio
Samuel Girard - Anton Lindholm
Jonathan Bernier
Andrew Hammond