As I begin this, Calgary has a 4-1 lead over Chicago in the second period. If the Flames hold on to win, the Wild, Flames and Avalanche would all have 84 points.

But the Wild would technically retain the top spot in the Northwest because it’d have one more win than Calgary.

Colorado would drop from sixth to seventh because it’s played one more game than the Wild and Flames.

This, heading into Monday’s big showdown between the Wild and Avs — the first of nine of 10 games for the Wild against divisional foes.

I just got word from the Denver Post writer that Peter Forsberg, who missed the last four games with a groin injury, will play. Adam Foote, who missed four of the last five games with a hip injury, will likely play. It’ll be determined during warmups because the Avalanche isn’t skating Monday morning. Jordan Leopold (head) practiced but may not play because the Avs have eight defensemen. Jose Theodore will start in goal. The Avs are 8-2 since the trade deadline but coming off a 4-2 loss to Jersey.

The Season begins tomorrow for Minnesota, Calgary, Colorado and Vancouver.

Wild had an intense, lively practice over in Inver Grove Heights today. Niklas Backstrom, Brian Rolston, Pavol Demitra, Mikko Koivu, Martin Skoula, Brent Burns and Kim Johnsson had days off.

This will probably be the pattern for the rest of the season as high-minute players try to rest up and keep fresh.

The only big practice news today is Chris Simon talked about the Chris Pronger suspension. He said it was completely unfair that he received a 30-game suspension and Pronger an eight-game suspension for what in his mind was the exact same stomping act.

“The only difference is he’s a star player and I’m not,” Simon said.

More in tomorrow’s paper on this subject.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pm and is filed under Practice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.