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Pretenders to Contenders? Wild Host Caps |
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Wild Game Day number 57
Wild Record (30-19-6 68 pts)
Home Record (20-4-5)
Opponent: Washington Capitals (32-17-7 71 pts)
Road Record (12-9-4)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St.Paul, MN
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results:
3/14 Wild 2 @ Capitals 4
3/28 Capitals 5 @ Wild 4
Last result:
11/18 Wild 1 @ Capitals 3
Tonight the Wild will get a real test, unlike the previous three games playing against non playoff opponents and jumping out to 3-0 leads in all three. The Metropolitan Division leading Capitals, will not allow the Wild such soft goals early and will make the Wild pay if they take their foot off the gas as they have done in the last three games.
Washington has beaten the Wild six straight times and 8 of the last 9 meetings, with the last Wild win over the Caps, coming nearly three years ago, a 2-1 victory in Washington on March 5, 2015.
Alex Ovechkin and Company have had their way with the Wild, and tonight is another big test if this Wild is going to go from their current status of pretender to contender. Yes the Wild hold the eighth position in the Western Conference, and have taken 7 of 8 potential points in the previous 4 games. But only the game against the Blues was a decidedly Wild performance.
The Wild defense will be called upon to step up and Devan Dubnyk will need to be on top of his game if the Wild are going to garner the 2 points tonight. Washington is coming off two straight OT losses, but have points in 4 straight themselves (2-0-2).
Braden Holtby has been one of the league's best goaltenders over the last several seasons, but has been more human this season with a 2.82 GAA, and .913 save percentage and no shutouts.
Nick Seeler made his NHL debut on Tuesday playing just under 11 minutes, recording 1 shot on net and a block while being a +1. A solid performance from the Eden Prairie native.
Tonight will be a big test for Gustav Olofsson once again as he has stepped up to the second pair with Matt Dumba, and the potent Washington attack and net front presence will be a challenge for Olofsson.
The Wild forwards must get back to shooting the puck first as the offensive opportunities will be more limited against the Capitals. If the Wild continue to follow their recent trend of allowing their opponent to outshoot them and in some cases, by wide margins, they could be in for a long night tonight.
The trade deadline is now just under 2 weeks away. What will the Wild do if anything. Chuck Fletcher said that he is going to be active working the phones, but also made the comment that they Wild cap situation is going to be much better this Summer. That is an interesting statement, considering he will have to resign Matt Dumba and Jason Zucker who have earned the right to command significant raises.
So what does Chuck have in the works to free up the necessary cash and who is on the move?
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
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Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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