The Wild were without Kirill Kaprizov, Jakub Lauko, Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon and Brock Faber, all sidelined due to injuries. As a result, the Avalanche (26-16-1) jumped out to a two-goal advantage in the first period, getting goals from Logan O'Connor 3 minutes, 46 seconds into the period and from Ross Colton 16:52 into the frame.

The Wild already were missing captain Jared Spurgeon (lower body), who is expected to be out for another week or two after taking a slew foot from Nashville forward Zachary L’Heureux in their game on Dec.

With star forward Kirill Kaprizov and captain Jared Spurgeon still sidelined, the Wild will be without defensemen Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin - and potentially goalie Marc-Andre Fleury - Thursday night against Colorado.