The Colorado Avalanche play the Minnesota Wild in a critical divisional matchup.

The Colorado Avalanche will face the Minnesota Wild in one of the most anticipated games to date. The Avs presently sit fourth in the Central Division, with 57 points. Meanwhile, the Wild are third with 58 points.

While the Avs are securely in the first wildcard spot in the Western Conference, the club hopes to move up to third place in the Central, securing their playoff spot.

A victory would accomplish that. The two points in regulation would help the Avs leapfrog a struggling Wild squad that has dropped three games in a row entering Monday afternoon’s action. The Wild are 5-5-0 in their previous ten games, with the Avs marginally ahead at 6-3-1.

The Avs are currently coming off a tremendous win over the Dallas Stars, another team they are chasing in the standings. The Stars have improved their game and are closing the gap on the Winnipeg Jets.

The Colorado Avalanche have a nine-point lead over the St. Louis Blues. This provides the top four teams in the Central some breathing room as they compete for position.

However, with less than half of the season remaining, the Avs must improve their overall game. Points are becoming more valuable than ever. So, it makes sense for the Avs to turn up the heat as the club looks to punch its postseason ticket.

It’s worth noting out that if the Avs can maintain in third place the rest of the way, and nothing else occurs, the Stars and Avs will be bound for another playoff matchup. If that’s the case, the Avs will be in difficult. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time Colorado meets a tough, first-round opponent.