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Big Sports Day in MN, Wild Must Avoid Letdown |
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Wild Game Day number 46
Wild Record (24-17-4 52 pts)
Home Record (15-4-3)
Opponent: Vancouver Canucks (17-21-6 40 pts)
Road Record (10-9-3)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Result:
11/29 Wild 4 @ Canucks 5
2/4 Wild 6 @ Canucks 3
3/25 Canucks 4 @ Wild 2
Last result:
10/24 Canucks 1 @ Wild 0
Coming off a big win last night over the Central Division leading Jets, the Wild look to avoid a letdown as they host the struggling Canucks. The Canucks have already beaten the Wild in St. Paul, and despite their recent woes (3 wins in their last 16) they have fared better on the road (10-9-3) and are coming off a decisive 5-2 win in Columbus on Friday night.
The Wild moved the start time of tonight's game to 7PM due to the Vikings home playoff game. They also will open some gates to fans at 3:30PM for fans to view the Vikings game prior to the Wild Canucks contest.
This is a key game for the Wild as they head into their bye week and do not want have the taste of a letdown lingering over them for a week. There are no gimme games in the NHL and tonight is an classic trap game.
Burnsville's Brock Boeser has had a tremendous rookie season thus far, with 22 goals and 40 points through 41 games. Boeser, will represent the Canucks at the All-Star weekend in Tampa.
Marcus Foligno (2 assists and 6 SOG) had his best game of the season last night and the Wild third line was instrumental in the offense. Charlie Coyle also assisted on both of Matt Dumba's third period goals as well.
Getting production from the depth lines is something that Bruce Boudreau has been searching for. The third member of that trio, Joel Eriksson Ek was a factor as well with 3 hits and a couple very good scoring opportunities himself. Both Eriksson Ek and Foligno were factors in front of the Jets net especially in the third period.
Winnipeg got an early third period powerplay goal from Mathieu Perreault, which drew them within a goal of the Wild at 2-1. After the Perreault goal the Jets gained some momentum and in a game that the Wild had the upper hand for the good majority was now one bad bounce from being tied.
The Wild showed some very strong character tilting the ice back in their favor, led in large part by the Coyle, Foligno, JEE line and put the game on ice with the two Matt Dumba tallies.
Last night's victory was key in many respects, as they defeated the Central Division leading Jets, they closed out a game with a strong third period, and they got key production from their depth lines.
So it is a big day for Minnesota sports, and the State of Hockey faithful, will surely be fired up. The Wild need to match that energy and bring home the two points and give them the confidence of a three game winning streak as the hit their bye week.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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