A pair of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche (first in the conference at 42-10-9) and the Minnesota Wild (third at 37-16-10), square off on Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Prepare for this matchup by checking out our prediction for who will come out on top in Sunday's hockey action.

The Wild's offense has scored 41 goals over their last 10 games, while their defense has given up 27 goals. They have registered 28 power-play opportunities during that span, and have scored 10 goals (35.7%). They are 8-2-0 over those games.

Avalanche vs. Wild Predictions for Sunday

Our computer projection model for this matchup expects a final tally of Avalanche 4, Wild 2.

Moneyline Pick: Avalanche (-175)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.0 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Avalanche (-1.5)

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Avalanche Splits and Trends

The Avalanche have a 42-10-9 record overall, with a 4-9-13 record in matchups that have required overtime.
Colorado has 20 points (8-2-4) in the 14 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
The four times this season the Avalanche ended a game with just one goal, they went 2-1-1 (five points).
Colorado has scored a pair of goals in seven games this season (1-4-2 record, four points).
The Avalanche are 39-4-6 in the 49 games when they have scored at least three goals (to record 84 points).
In the 18 games when Colorado has recorded a single power-play goal, it went 14-0-4 to record 32 points.
In the 46 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Colorado is 32-7-7 (71 points).
The Avalanche have been outshot by opponents 12 times, and went 9-3-0 (18 points).

Wild Splits and Trends

The Wild have a 13-10-23 record in overtime contests this season and a 37-16-10 overall record.
In the 20 games Minnesota has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 29 points.
This season the Wild recorded only one goal in nine games and have gone 1-6-2 (four points).
Minnesota has earned eight points (3-7-2 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
The Wild have earned 72 points in their 42 games with three or more goals scored.
This season, Minnesota has recorded a lone power-play goal in 28 games has a record of 17-7-4 in those matchups.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Minnesota is 16-5-5 (37 points).
The Wild have been outshot by opponents in 36 games, going 20-11-5 to record 45 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

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