NHL Playoffs Game 1 of the Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild series was essentially what everyone expected: a hard-fought, closely contested battled that was decided by a single goal. This will likely be one of the closest series of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, so Colorado Avalanche fans should be thankful they earned a victory in Game 1 over the Minnesota Wild. Wednesday's 3-2 overtime game was a wild one, with old veteran Joe Sakic potting the game winner. It was Sakic's second point of the night and shouldn't come as much of a surprise, since it was his NHL-record eighth overtime goal in the postseason. BetOnline.com has the Minnesota Wild -135 odds against the Colorado Avalanche +115 with the over/under set at 5 goals.
Despite out-shooting the Avs 20-7 through two periods, Minnesota trailed 2-0 thanks to goals by Kurt Sauer and Ryan Smyth. The Wild showed their mettle, though, by scoring a pair of goals (Mikko Koivu and Todd Fedoruk) in the third period to send it to overtime. The sudden-death period was played with reckless abandon and went back-and-forth before Sakic back-handed in the game winner. Minny had a 30-22 edge in shots when all was said and done. It had a hard time solving goalie Jose Theodore, who has plenty of playoff experience (2.63 goals against average in 38 career playoff games).
A growing concern for Minnesota is injuries, which could start impacting the betting lines. Forward Mark Parrish was taken to the hospital after hitting his head off the boards in Game 1 and it's currently unknown what his status is. That cuts into the Wild's depth a little bit, which was already hurting since defenseman Nick Schultz underwent an appendectomy on Monday (he'll miss at least the first-round). Schultz was one of the team's better defenders.
Despite the injuries, the Minnesota Wild will have a hostile crowd backing it on Friday night. There's no doubt the Colorado Avalanche will put up a good fight, but this series should be back and forth the whole way. Minny evens it at one apiece. Get your Free NHL Playoffs Pick in Now!
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild, Friday @ 9:00 p.m. ET
NHL Playoffs Pick: Minnesota Wild
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