Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is from Bloomington, Minnesota, and played one season at the University of Minnesota in 2006-07… Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper was selected by the Wild in the sixth round, 160th overall, of the 2009 NHL Draft and was with Minnesota's organization through the 2016-17 campaign… Colorado forward Sampo Ranta played three seasons at the University of Minnesota (2018-2021)… Wild assistant coaches Brett McLean and Darby Hendrickson played for the Avalanche.
HISTORY
The Avalanche maintain a 56-45-14 all-time record against the Wild during the regular season, with a 31-23-4 home record and a 25-22-10 road record.
In their last meeting, the Avalanche defeated the Wild at home 4-1. Following this matchup, the two teams will meet twice more before the season concludes. Both future meetings will take place in Minnesota, one in March and one as the final game of the regular season for the Avs in April.
ROSTER REPORT
After missing three games due to health and safety protocol, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog spent 18 minutes on ice in the win over Arizona, posting one assist.
INJURY REPORT
Bowen Byram remains out with concerns over head injuries. Darren Helm is considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's game, rehabbing a lower body injury. Jacob MacDonald is sidelined with an upper-body injury he sustained on Dec. 12. Stefan Matteau is expected to remain out while he rehabs a lower-body injury from October 2021.
SCOUTING THE WILD
The Wild head into Monday's matchup with a 22-10-2 record, holding the fourth seed in the Central Division. Minnesota's last contest resulted in a victory at home over the Anaheim Ducks. They have won the past three games they have played in.
Minnesota ranks 23rd in the league when it comes to power play (17.3 percent), and 16th in the league on penalty kill (80 percent).
(OPPOSING) PLAYER TO WATCH: Mats Zuccarello
Right winger Mats Zuccarello has tallied 30 points this season (11 goals, 19 assitss). In Minnesota's previous matchup, Zuccarello scored two goals plus an assist. He has scored at least one point in his past five games played (eight points total).
NUMBERS GAME
7
Nathan MacKinnon has passed Peter Forsberg on the franchise goals leaderboard, now sitting at seventh all time.
700
Nazem Kadri has played 700 career NHL games.
26
Darcy Kuemper has become the 26th goalie in Avalanche history to record a shutout.
NOTEBOOK
Nathan MacKinnon has now tallied 26 multi-goal games in his career... Cale Makar has moved up to 34th in franchise history on power play points, passing Erik Johnson... Andre Burakovsky has passed Cody McLeod on the franchise points leaderboard, now at 59th all time.
