Avalanche vs Wild Prediction & Odds - 2/28/2025

The Colorado Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild to Ball Arena on Friday night for what promises to be a pivotal Central Division matchup, with both teams separated by just two points in the standings.

The Avalanche enter the contest with momentum following an impressive 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils, where Nathan MacKinnon continued his stellar form with two power-play goals.

Minnesota, playing without their star forward Kirill Kaprizov, will look to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings where they surrendered a two-goal lead.

The goaltending battle could prove decisive, with Colorado's Mackenzie Blackwood showing exceptional form in February, posting a 2.03 GAA and .924 save percentage across six starts.

These Central Division rivals have split their previous two meetings this season, with each team finding success on the road.

As both teams push for playoff positioning in an increasingly tight division race, this matchup could have significant implications for their postseason aspirations.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild preview

The Central Division heats up this Friday night as the Minnesota Wild (34-20-4) head to Ball Arena to face off against the Colorado Avalanche (34-24-2) in what promises to be a crucial matchup for playoff positioning.

The Avalanche enter the contest with momentum following an impressive 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils, where Nathan MacKinnon showcased his prowess with two power-play goals and Cale Makar contributed with a pair of assists.

Minnesota, meanwhile, looks to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, where they squandered a two-goal lead despite outshooting their opponents 24-16.

The absence of Wild's leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov (23 goals, 29 assists) continues to impact their offensive output, with the team averaging just 2.88 goals per game, tied for 19th in the NHL.

Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood has been exceptional since joining the team in December, posting a stellar 2.12 GAA and .922 save percentage, including an impressive February run with a 2.03 GAA across six starts.

The season series stands split between these division rivals, with each team securing victory on the road in their previous two encounters.

Colorado's offensive firepower ranks 11th in the league with 3.20 goals per game, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of MacKinnon and Makar who continue to drive their power play success.

The goaltending matchup could prove decisive, with Wild's Filip Gustavsson (2.64 GAA, .914 save percentage) looking to rebound from recent struggles that include a six-goal concession in their last meeting with Colorado.

With just two points separating these teams in the Central Division standings, this matchup carries significant playoff implications as both sides battle for positioning in the competitive Western Conference.

Given Colorado's recent offensive surge and Minnesota's scoring challenges without Kaprizov, the Avalanche appear poised to capitalize on their home-ice advantage in what should be a tightly contested divisional showdown.