Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 3/8/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude Sports

The Colorado Avalanche (41-10-9) will take on the Minnesota Wild (36-16-10) at Ball Arena on Sunday.

The Minnesota Wild were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-1 victory against the Lightning their last time out. Minnesota had 8 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Wild had a good offensive outing in the win. They also had 5 power play tries and were able to net 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they were able to notch a goal on 5 of the 22 shots they tried.

When at even strength, the Wild have allowed 142 goals while getting 152 on the offensive side of the ice. Minnesota Wild opponents have earned 159 power play tries (29th in hockey) and have scored 35 goals in those attempts. When discussing their scoring, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 205 goals (8th in the National Hockey League) this season and have conceded 177. Minnesota has taken 1,779 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.5%. For the current campaign, they have 82 points and their points percentage is .661. The Wild have had 1,870 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .905. Minnesota has tallied 205 power play opportunities and they have notched 53 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 25.85%.

The man in goal for this game is Filip Gustavsson. Over the course of his career, Gustavsson has accumulated 123 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .618. He has a save percentage of .912 for his 9,053 mins guarding the cage. Gustavsson has had 6,072 shots taken against him and has recorded 5,539 total saves. The opposition has notched 533 goals versus Gustavsson in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 2.68. He has amassed a record of 105-69-26 and he has started in 199 games. Gustavsson has taken the ice for 208 games over the course of his NHL career.

In their last outing, Colorado opposed the Ducks in a matchup where the Avalanche notched a victory by a mark of 5-1. They had 3 power play opportunities in this matchup and recorded 1 out of those attempts. The Avalanche had 5 goals out of the 26 shots on goal they attempted.

Colorado has taken 2,050 shots (1st in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.17%, while allowing the other team 1,598 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 83.53% on the other teams 170 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.0%. They have recorded 193 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 15.54%. The Avalanche are sitting with 199 goals at even strength and 30 goals (24th in the NHL) while having a power play advantage. They have granted a total of 144 goals to be scored by of a combination of 116 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the Colorado Avalanche are sitting with 229 goals, 91 points, in addition to a points percentage of .758.

For the opposition you are going to see Mackenzie Blackwood in net. Teams are averaging 2.89 goals per game and he has surrendered 755 goals in total. Blackwood's quality start rate is 57.1% and he has made 149 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has been a starter 261 games and has played 13,417 mins. Blackwood has amassed a lifetime record of 121-109-29 and has been in goal for 278 games. He has compiled 7,315 saves out of 8,070 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .906.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here