COLORADO AT MINNESOTA, 6 p.m. Tuesday, ALT2, 950 AM
Spotlight on Eric Staal: The former perennial all-star has revitalized his NHL career in Minnesota and was named the league’s third star last week. Staal, 32, leads the Wild in scoring and is tied with a team-high 10 goals, matching what he amassed in 63 games with Carolina last season. Staal had only had three goals and six points in 20 games for the New York Rangers after being moved at the trade deadline last season. He signed a three-year, $10.5 million free-agent contract with Minnesota in July and has prospered as the team’s No. 1 center.
NOTEBOOK
Avalanche: The Avs flew to Minnesota after Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Winnipeg and was scheduled to practice Monday in the Twin Cities. … Colorado has an NHL-low 23 points and the league’s worst goal differential (minus-32). The Avs are on a three-game losing streak and are 2-8 in their last 10 games. … Colorado is 7-8 on the road.
Wild: Riding a seven-game winning streak, Minnesota has outscored its last three opponents 14-4. The Wild hasn’t lost in regulation since Nov. 29 and is on a eight-game unbeaten streak. … Minnesota is a Western Conference-high plus-29 in goal differential. … Forward Pat Cannone, 30, is scheduled to make his NHL debut against the Avs. A career minor-leaguer, Cannone had a hat trick in the American Hockey League’s all-star game last season and was named MVP.
