Minnesota Wild in Action Tonight: Live at Colorado, Third in the West, Trade Deadline Looming
The Minnesota Wild are playing a live game right now. The Wild are in Denver taking on the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena tonight, Friday, February 27, 2026 ET, with puck drop at 9:00 PM ET. The game is scoreless after the first period as Minnesota chases the division-leading Avalanche in one of the NHL's most compelling Central Division rivalries this season.
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche: First Period Breakdown
Tonight's first period between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche finished scoreless, with the Avs holding a 13-to-10 edge in shots on goal. Colorado dominated faceoffs, winning 13 of 19 draws — a 68% success rate — while the Wild's Kirill Kaprizov led Minnesota offensively with two shots and two missed shots in the opening frame.
Minnesota held a 7-to-6 edge in hits through the first period, with Zach Bogosian delivering two physical checks for the Wild. Quinn Hughes added a takeaway on the Minnesota blue line. Colorado's Brent Burns led all skaters with three shots on goal in the period, while Cale Makar and Martin Necas were also active offensively for the Avs.
Minnesota Wild 2025-26 Standings: Third in the Central Division
The Minnesota Wild enter tonight's game sitting third in the Central Division with a record of 34 wins and 14 losses — good for a .586 points percentage in the Western Conference. The Wild trail the Colorado Avalanche, who are the hottest team in the West at 38-9, and the Dallas Stars at 35-14. Minnesota currently sits comfortably inside the Western Conference playoff picture.
Jared Spurgeon recently delivered a game-winning overtime goal in a 6-5 Wild victory over the Nashville Predators, continuing his steady production with six goals and 17 points over 58 appearances this season. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson is 20-9-6 on the season with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in 36 starts.
Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes Lead the Charge for Minnesota
The Wild's two franchise cornerstones are driving the offense and setting the tone this season. Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes are Minnesota's two superstars at the peak of their powers, and the Wild have committed significant resources to keep both players in St. Paul for the long term.
Quinn Hughes, who was acquired by Minnesota from the Vancouver Canucks this season, is up to 57 points through 52 appearances — 25 of them on the power play — along with 143 shots, 59 blocked shots, and 24 penalty minutes. Matt Boldy has also been a key producer, continuing to build on his emergence as a reliable top-six forward.
Minnesota Wild Trade Deadline: Decisions Due by March 3
The Minnesota Wild face critical front-office decisions in the next five days. The March 3 NHL trade deadline has the Wild trying to balance the need to win now with preserving their dwindling stockpile of draft and prospect capital.
One rumored framework involves a potential trade with the Ottawa Senators centered on goaltending prospect Jesper Wallstedt heading to Ottawa in exchange for a center like Dylan Cozens coming to Minnesota. General manager Bill Guerin has built this roster around a win-now window, and the deadline will reveal whether the organization is prepared to make a significant push at the 2026 Stanley Cup.
Minnesota Wild Upcoming Schedule: Four Games in the Next Two Weeks
After tonight's game in Colorado, the Minnesota Wild return to action Saturday, February 28 ET, visiting the Utah Mammoth — a game the data currently gives the Wild a 45% chance of winning. Minnesota then hosts the St. Louis Blues at Grand Casino Arena on Sunday, March 1 ET, followed by a home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, March 4 ET.
The Wild's home arena was renamed from Xcel Energy Center to Grand Casino Arena in September 2025. With the trade deadline arriving March 3 and a second showdown against Colorado at Grand Casino Arena scheduled for March 8, the next 10 days represent one of the most pivotal stretches of the Minnesota Wild's entire 2025-26 season.
