The NHL preseason featured a clash between the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The game concluded with a Minnesota victory, 4-2, in front of a brisk crowd eager to see both teams in game form ahead of the regular season.
Early on, Minnesota got off to a fast start as Kirill Kaprizov found the back of the net just 32 seconds into the action, setting the tone for the evening. Alex Goligoski followed with a second goal for the Wild midway through the first period, giving Minnesota a two-goal cushion. Colorado answered with a tally from Spencer Smallman with four minutes left in the opening frame, pulling the visitors closer. The middle period saw Jonas Brodin extend the Wild lead, scoring in the 15th minute of the second period. As the game wore on, Colorado pushed back with a late third-period strike from forward Riley Fafte, bringing the score within two. Kaprizov iced the show with his second goal late in regulation, sealing the win for Minnesota.
Looking ahead to the regular season, the NHL schedule for the new year is set to begin in October. The season kickoff will feature three games on opening night, with the Vegas Golden Knights facing the Seattle Kraken, Nashville confronting Tampa Bay, and the Chicago Blackhawks meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Minnesota Wild fans can mark their calendars for the season opener on October 13, when the team travels to take on the Florida Panthers. Colorado Avalanche supporters will have their eyes on October 12, the night their club hosts the Los Angeles Kings as the season begins to take shape.
Historically, the rivalry has included memorable moments between the two franchises, and this preseason matchup added another layer of anticipation for fans as both teams prepare for the grind of the regular season.