Denver, CO - The Minnesota Wild snapped their three-game losing streak on January 20, 2025, with a 3-1 victory over their division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche. The win not only lifted spirits within the Wild locker room but also helped them maintain their competitive edge as the season nears its halfway point.
The Wild entered the match against the Avalanche, already burdened by injuries, missing key players like Kirill Kaprizov, Marcus Johansson, Jared Spurgeon, and Jonas Brodin due to various ailments. Taking the ice with such significant absences didn’t faze the Wild, who were determined to improve their recent performance. Prior to the game, they faced pressure, having lost four of their last five matches and dropped a heavy loss to the Avalanche earlier this month, with a score of 6-1.
Marc-Andre Fleury began the game as starting goaltender and proved instrumental, particularly with the pressure mounting against him. On the opposing side of the rink, Avalanche's Mackenzie Blackwood, also facing his own set of pressures following the team's recent struggles, was positioned for what many hoped would be a bounce-back performance.
Scoring kicked off with the Wild at 14:12 of the first period when Jake Middleton's wrist shot from the blue line slipped under Blackwood’s pad, giving Minnesota the early 1-0 lead. This set the stage for what would prove to be a pivotal contest.
During the second period, the action intensified as both teams sought to find their rhythm. Nathan MacKinnon, the standout star for the Avalanche, showcased his brilliance with a dexterous goal, handling the puck expertly to tie the game 1-1. After stealing the show with his slick moves, his breakthrough provided some hope for the home crowd.
But the Wild refused to be outdone. Just 1:35 minutes after MacKinnon’s equalizer, Yakov Trenin regained the lead for the Wild, shooting past Blackwood to make it 2-1. Brock Faber followed suit, increasing Minnesota's lead just three and half minutes later, sealing Colorado's fate as the game moved to the third period.
Frustration grew for Avalanche players and fans alike as they watched their team struggle to create offensive chances. Despite having numerous power-play opportunities, they couldn’t capitalize. “We absolutely need to help Blackwood out more,” said Cale Makar following the game, highlighting the defensive failures his team faced throughout.
Colorado's head coach, Jared Bednar, echoed similar sentiments when he noted the team's need to mitigate turnovers and tighten up defensive play. “We’re at the point of the year now where we can’t make those mistakes and survive them, especially against strong opponents like the Wild,” he stated.
The Avalanche's 11 shots through two periods was particularly alarming for fans, as the team has historically relied on their offense to remain competitive. Ordinarily, their depth scoring has provided substantial contributions, but against the Wild, they found it lacking. With the defeat, the Avalanche dropped to 57 points, now trailing behind the Dallas Stars, who recently surpassed them.
Following the game, many players remarked on the urgency they felt moving forward — especially with upcoming games against formidable foes such as the Winnipeg Jets, who they will need to face quickly as they try to regain ground.
The Wild’s 3-1 victory highlights their resilience and ability to pressure opponents, even when equipped with significant injury setbacks. The win not only reflects their aspiration for playoff positioning but also sparks renewed confidence as they prepare to return home to play the Utah Hockey Club on January 23.
Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching as the postseason approaches, with every game holding significant weight. The narrative continues to evolve for the Wild and Avalanche, who are locked in competitive tension as they both navigate the winding road toward the playoffs.