Wild in dead heat with Avs in Central Division after dispiriting loss
The Minnesota Wild were thoroughly outplayed for the second straight night.
Ross Colton scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche were in complete control for most of the night in a 5-2 win over the Wild at Ball Arena in Denver Friday night.
With the win, the Avs are knotted with the Wild in the Central Division at 72 points.
It was actually the Wild (34-22-4) who struck first, getting a goal from Mats Zuccarello 4 minutes, 14 seconds into the opening frame, and while Valeri Nichushkin knotted it up with a power-play goal 13 minutes, 58 seconds into the frame, Minnesota quickly retook the lead with Vinnie Hinostroza's power-play goal with 2:18 left in the first.
But the it was all Avalanche (35-24-2). Colorado found three second-period goals, the first coming from Jonathan Drouin 8 minutes, 57 seconds into the frame. Jack Drury added another 52 seconds later, and Colton scored his first of the night with 5:21 to go in the period. Colton added an empty-netter with 8 seconds remaining in the third.
The Avs outshot the Wild 30-20. Filip Gustavsson made 25 saves on 29 shots while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 18 of 20 for Colorado.
The Wild were also dealt a blow before the game even started as defenseman Zach Bogosian was the latest addition to the team's long list of injuries. Bogosian was ruled out of the game due to a lower-body injury and is considered day to day.
The Wild return Sunday when they host the Boston Bruins for a 2:30 p.m. puck drop.
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