The Colorado Avalanche do not open the 2016-17 season against the Minnesota Wild, and that is good news indeed. The last two seasons Colorado faced Minnesota and lost badly — once by being shut out in home and away games (2104-15) and once by blowing a third-period lead (2015-16). Colorado then went on to be plagued by the same issues from the game for the rest of the season.
This year the Avalanche get to try something different — host the Dallas Stars for the season opener on October 15, at the Pepsi Center.
Actually, it’s not all that new.