Wild Vs. Avalanche Final Score: Devin Setoguchi Comes Through In Final Minutes, Lifting Minnesota To 1-0 Win

After two scoreless periods with limited shooting and offensive chances, the Minnesota Wild took control of the game against the Colorado Avalanche. Actually, that's not entirely true ... after two scoreless periods and then another 17 minutes, Devin Setoguchi nailed a goal, assisted by Dany Heatley and Mikko Koivu. Setoguchi fired a wrist shot that beat Jean-Sebastien Giguere, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead and, eventually, a 1-0 win.

Minnesota was out-shot 27-18, including 21-10 over the final two periods of play.  Colorado also had three power play opportunities to Minnesota's one, but they failed to score. Minnesota did win the faceoff battle by a small margin of 26-24, though. Niklas Backstrom stopped 27-of-27, while Giguere allowed just the one goal, with 17 saves. Clayton Stoner served two penalties  in the game.

The Wild have now won their last three games, and this game against Colorado was the first of a six-game homestand. The Wild now have a 5-3 record at home on the season and are running hot, leading their division. Next, they'll play host to the St. Louis Blues, who are starting to win games.

Wild Vs. Avalanche: Minnesota Begins Long Homestand With Colorado

The Minnesota Wild are holding down first place in the NHL's Northwest Division, a spot they will look to maintain as they begin a long homestand Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild will play their next six games at home as they look to build on their 10-5-1 record.

The Wild didn't have the most balanced schedule to start the season considering they are just returning from a five-game road trip. They were able to pick up six points, however, making the time away from home quite a bit more palatable as they begin to occupy Minnesota for the next eleven days.

The Wild will be counting on goalie Niklas Backstrom to continue his hot streak as he went 3-1 during the road trip with a .953 save percentage. Matt Cullen will also try to score a goal in his third consecutive game when the puck drops against the Avalanche to open their first of six games this season.

The Avalanche will bring an 8-9-1 record into Thursday night's game. Colorado's offensive output thus far this season has been led by Matt Duchene as he's scored seven goals and added seven assists for 14 total points. Milan Hejduk and Kyle Quicey aren't far behind with 13 points apiece through the team's first 18 games.

The game will be avaiable locally on Fox Sports North with Wild Live leading into the hockey game starting at 7 p.m.

Wild Vs. Blue Jackets: Minnesota Rallies For 4-2 Win

The Minnesota Wild came back from a 2-0 deficit to reel off four straight goals in an inspiring win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night in Columbus.

Cal Clutterbuck scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to bring the Wild all the way back after trailing by two goals after the first period. Matt Cullen started the comeback for Minnesota with a power play goal midway through the second period, his team-leading eighth goal of the season, before Nick Johnson tied the game just 20 seconds later. Devin Setoguchi added an empty-net goal as time ticked down on another tough loss for the Blue Jackets, who fell to 3-13-1 on the season.

Minnesota was outshot 45-23 on the night and 18-6 in the first period alone, but Niklas Backstrom stopped a season-high 43 shots for the Wild.

The Wild, proudly sitting in first place in the Northwest Division, are back in action on Nov. 17 when they host the Colorado Avalanche.

Wild Vs. Blue Jackets Preview: Minnesota Trying To Finish Road Trip Strong

The Minnesota Wild are getting set to finish out a five-game road trip on Tuesday when they head to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. Minnesota is coming off a big win over the Anaheim Ducks that snapped a two-game losing streak on Sunday. It was a big win because the Wild have been so inconsistent this season, and after dropping games to tough San Jose and Los Angeles squads, they needed to hold against other Western Conference competition like the Ducks.

Now, they'd like to launch a six-game homestand the right way by coming into it with two-straight wins, including the Tuesday tilt against Columbus. Minnesota got things started early in their 3-2 win in Anaheim, with Matt Cullen and Jared Suprgeon lighting the lamp in the first period, just under three and a half minutes apart, and Kyle Brodziak gave them the third goal they needed to put the game out of reach. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom made 32 saves on the night, and Minnesota successfully avenged an earlier loss, when Anaheim beat Minnesota 3-2 at home on Oct. 27.

For the Blue Jackets, they're just looking to turn this three-game homestand into a winning affair, dropping the first game against Chicago on Thursday, before beating Winnipeg in a close one on Saturday. The Jets fell 2-1 in that game, with 19-year old rookie Ryan Johansen scoring both goals and likely earning his way into more playing time. The team is just 3-12-1 on the season and struggling each time out, so Johansen's play is rather critical when it comes to morale and the future of the team.

This is the second of four meetings between the two teams this season, and the first away for the Wild. The game is set for Tuesday, Nov. 15 and will be on at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Wild Schedule: First Place Minnesota Looks To Build On Momentum

For more on the Wild, visit SB Nation's Hockey Wilderness.