WATCH Wild vs. Avalanche Live Stream Online, NHL 2014 Opening Week: Listen To Free Hockey Game Coverage From Minnesota, Power Ranking

It's finally that time of year - hockey season!

The Minnesota Wild battle it out on the ice against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of each team series on Thursday, October 9 at 9:00 p.m. EST at Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center. Read on to see where fans can watch and listen to a live stream of the "Opening Week" hockey game online and catch up-to-date feeds and coverage on highlight plays and scores.

Heading into the 2014 regular season, the Wild snag the No. 6 spot in ESPN.com's official NHL power rankings:

"Love the job Chuck Fletcher and Mike Yeo are doing in Minnesota. The goaltending issues, though, are going to say a lot about whether this team can take another step toward a run at a championship."

Meanwhile, the Avalanche currently hold the No. 8 spot (out of 30 total teams):

"Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic have added depth and experience as they hope to build on their surprise run to the Central Division crown last year. Defense needs to get better and, if it does, look out."

The game will be broadcasted live on NBCS, but fans can also listen in on the radio at KWSN, 740 The Fan, KNEB, and KTMM.

For fans who want to try out a free live stream (which may mean downloading a torrent), click here. Also try this or another option.

For a one-time fee, fans can access a NHL Gamecenter Live pass.

ESPN, ESPN Scoreboard, and NHL.com  are both good sources for up-to-date game coverage and feeds.

More radio listening options for Wild and Avalanche.

Official NHL team websites: Wild and Avalanche.

Enjoy the hockey game!