Wild Game Day number 76
Wild Record (44-24-7 95 pts)
Home Record (24-11-1)

Opponent: Washington Capitals (49-17-8 106 pts)
Road Record (18-11-6)

Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

Time: 7:00PM CT

TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)

Last Season Results:
2/11 Capitals 4 @ Wild 3
2/26 Wild 2 @ Capitals 3

Last Result:
3/14 Wild 2 @ Capitals 4

Back to work for the Wild and the Capitals could not come to St. Paul at a better time. The Wild have been mired in a month long slump that has seen them lose 9 of 11 and slip out of the first place race with Chicago.

You can throw all the numbers around that you want but when teams are winning the numbers match the results, and of course the opposite occurs when the losing mounts. Winning and losing is not all talent. There are many factors involved, but none more meaningful than the heart.

The Wild were a very entertaining team until March hit. They need to get that brand back, and tonight they welcome the NHL's best to the Xcel Energy Center, which should be just the right medicine for a team that needs to be awakened.

It is no secret that the Wild have played up and down to their opponent for much of the season, so why should we expect tonight to be any different.

The Caps bring a tough challenge of speed skill and elite level goaltending to St. Paul tonight. On paper not exactly the formula for a team that is reeling, but for the Wild this is the perfect opponent to challenge this group.

There are seven games left before the real season starts, but the Wild need to rev this thing back up and turn the speed game back on. They will need to become tougher to play against and stronger on the puck. Those qualities were the staples of the team that soared to the top of the Western Conference standings.

It is true that nothing matters until the playoffs, but teams that turn it off, have a very tough time turning it back on.

Gut check time Wild, who is going to step up?

It's always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!

Let's Play Hockey!


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