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Wild No Excuses, Gotta Win |
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Wild Game Day number 67
Wild Record (37-22-7 81 pts)
Home Record (23-5-6)
Opponent: Carolina Hurricanes (29-26-11 69 pts)
Road Record (13-14-5)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results:
3/16 Wild 1 @ Hurricanes 3
4/4 Hurricanes 3 @ Wild 5
Last result:
10/7 Wild 4 @ Hurricanes 5 (SO)
Ironically the schedule makers have the Wild facing the Hurricanes whom they have not seen since the second game of the season in Raleigh. Sunday's opponent the Red Wings were the Wild opponent in game one.
The Hurricanes are battling for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference trailing the Blue Jackets by 2 points, but the surging Panthers are between the Canes and Blue Jackets a point ahead and three games in hand. Carolina is in must win mode, after winning just twice (2-5-2) in their last 9 games.
Tonight is of course a meeting between the Staal brothers, as Jordan and Eric faceoff against each other. The Staal reunion comes just over a week after tragedy struck Jordan and his wife along with entire Staal family. The healing process is especially difficult on professional athletes as the travel schedule is out of their control, but for the two Staal brothers to get the chance to spend some time together so soon after is a real blessing.
Yesterday the Wild got the very disappointing news that Luke Kunin tore his ACL and will obviously be lost for the remainder of this season, and his recovery time will take 6-8 months.
With 12 healthy forwards it is not immediately expected that the Wild make a call-up from Iowa, but the likelihood of either Zack Mitchell, Kyle Rau, or Sam Anas being recalled is very likely.
Anas leads the baby Wild with 20 goals and his 44 points rank 2nd on the team behind the 45 Rau has put up. Anas has paid his dues and deserves a shot but if and when that occurs is still in question.
Another Wild opponent that is not in playoff position, so no excuse for the Wild to not come out guns a-blazin tonight. Carolina's playoff hopes are on life-support to say the least and the Wild have the perfect opportunity to pull the plug.
No waiting around to find their legs, no excuse that they just came home from a road trip, this is crunch time. Time for the Wild to build on the final two periods from Sunday evening and play a full 60 minutes.
Sunday's inspirational star, Nick Seeler will miss tonight's game with what Boudreau has referred to as soreness, and is listed as day to day.
Projected Wild Lines:
Zucker-Staal-Granlund
Parise-Koivu-Coyle
Ennis-Eriksson Ek-Niederreiter
Foligno-Cullen-Winnik
Suter-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Olofsson-Prosser
Dubnyk
Stalock
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
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Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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