The Colorado Avalanche open up their preseason the same way they started the last two regular seasons — playing against the Minnesota Wild. Both those times were utter disasters for Colorado. They lost both games, and they type of loss haunted them the rest of the season.
During the 2014-15 season, Colorado got shut out in Minnesota then returned to Pepsi Center to get shut out at home. The Avalanche had trouble scoring all season, and the players often cited that terrible beginning for getting into their heads.
Last season, the Colorado Avalanche looked ready to exorcise those demons.