The Minnesota Wild lost their fifth straight game on Tuesday night, this one on national television, 7-1, to the Colorado Avalanche, who just defeated them as recently as Sunday by a score of 2-0.
Matt Hackett started in net in place of injured Nicklas Backstrom for the second straight game and lasted only 21 shots (four goals) before getting the hook for Josh Harding, who didn't fare much better in relief.
Colorado scored the first five goals -- four in the second period -- before Minnesota lit the lamp for the first time. By that point, the game was long over and their playoff hopes in a deeper pile of ... hopelessness.
Devin Setoguchi scored the only Wild goal on a penalty shot in the third, but it wasn't quite enough to redeem himself from this embarrassment against Montreal.
Minnesota finishes their season with 10 of their final 13 games at home, so if there is any optimism left in the tank to catch the No. 8 seed, which is eight points away, it's in the fact that they are much better at home.
The Wild have one more on the road before five straight in their own building -- they play next on Thursday in Phoenix against the Coyotes.
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