Wilderness Walk: Opening Night Edition

The moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived as the Wild face off against the Colorado Avalanche in an opening night tilt between teams with a simmering rivalry.  After bouncing the Avs from the opening round of the playoffs in the 2013-2014 season, the Wild opened the 2014-15 with back-to-back shutouts of the Avalance in a home and home series.  The Wild continued their dominance of the Avs all the way until March, when the Avs finally scored their first goal of the season against the Wild in their 4th matchup.  You can bet the Avs still have a chip on their shoulder about last season and will be looking to set the tone early in this game.

Oh, happy day.

— NHL (@NHL) October 7, 2015

So now that you've had your fill of all of the great things that come with the offseason, analysis and predictions -

LET'S PLAY HOCKEY!!!!!!!!!!

Today's musical selection is a special request from Tony to get the season started right.  We Walk!

Wild News

Wild: Offseason 'moves' aimed at deepening blue line - TwinCities.com
The news was jarring, so coach Mike Yeo figured he would offer it unsolicited on the first day of the Wild's training camp three weeks ago.

Wild: Central Division, NHL's best, already seems better - TwinCities.com
The Wild are confident they improved this offseason. Inaction, they felt, was the best action.

Goal is simple for Wild’s Zucker: Just improve everything - StarTribune.com
Coach Mike Yeo said speedy winger Jason Zucker has been "on top of his game right from the start’’ of training camp,

Area Of Concern: The Youth Movement - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
WX Expresses concern for the upcoming season.

Keep Your Enemies Closer

Mile High Hockey, a Colorado Avalanche community
Your best source for quality Colorado Avalanche news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

Tending The Fields

Iowa Wild Hockey: BOSTON LOANS GOALIE JEREMY SMITH TO IOWA

Off The Trail

NHL preview: Key offseason additions, Michael Russo's predictions - StarTribune.com
Russo predicts the Stanley Cup playoffs and who will win individual hardware.

NHL preview: Michael Russo's Western Conference predictions - StarTribune.com
The Anaheim Ducks have won three consecutive Pacific Division titles and might be the best in the West again.

NHL preview: Michael Russo's Eastern Conference predictions - StarTribune.com
The Washington Capitals are loaded with talent, both on the ice and behind the bench.

Wild Xtra NHL Predictions - Minnesota Wild - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
WX makes their predictions around the league.

NHL award picks: Alex Ovechkin goes for 4th MVP award in 2015-16 - CBSSports.com
Eye On Hockey writers Adam Gretz and Chris Peters share their predictions for the NHL's major awards for the 2015-16 season.

Central Intelligence: St. Louis Blues - Articles - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
WX previews the Big Bad Blues

NHL Picks: Rangers spoil Blackhawks' banner-raising party - CBSSports.com
Welcome to the NHL Daily Picks, where CBSSports.com hockey writers Chris Peters and Adam Gretz share their predictions for select games every day.

Devils to retire Martin Brodeur's number, commission statue - CBSSports.com
The New Jersey Devils will build a statue of goaltender Martin Brodeur to sit outside the Prudential Center. They also will retire his jersey number on Feb. 9.

Penguins' Pascal Dupuis out 4-5 weeks with injury unrelated to blood clot - CBSSports.com
Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis will be sidelined 4-5 weeks with a lower-body injury.

RECAPS

NHL Recap - New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks - Oct 07, 2015 - CBSSports.com

NHL Recap - San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings - Oct 07, 2015 - CBSSports.com

NHL Recap - Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs - Oct 07, 2015 - CBSSports.com

NHL Recap - Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames - Oct 07, 2015 - CBSSports.com