Brad Ratgen: Game Day Preview: Wild at Blue Jackets A look at tonight's game.

I'm really scratching my head on the team's lineup decisions since the trade deadline. Not calling up Zucker. Not scratching Stoner. Hope they get things figured out and don't back into the playoffs here.

Well... Tonight is either the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. With so many teams either surpassing them or on their heals in the points standings, tonight is pretty much a must win. Well let's face it, almost every game for the next 2 weeks is must win. Wild have to treat these next several games as if they were actual playoff games.

Had they not slid over the past 5 games, these games would not be so critical to their playoff hopes for obvious reasons. But, since Cullen went down the Wild have not won a game, and that does show a serious depth problem on this team.

I'm really scratching my head on the team's lineup decisions since the trade deadline. Not calling up Zucker. Not scratching Stoner. Hope they get things figured out and don't back into the playoffs here.
- jrmehle

Honestly, I think they have only 4 call ups allowed after the trade deadline and they've already used one of them. I also believe that they are up against some cap issues in regards to whom they can call up. The Pominville trade pushed the Wild right up to the cap ceiling and the Wild have to be extremely careful who they call up so as to not put themselves over the compliance limit.

That being said, I'm still not sure why they didn't call up Zucker at the same time they called up Kuemper on the day of the trade deadline. It seems to me they were short a forward on that day. Then they called up Granlund when Heater broke his arm. So I'm wondering why they don't just put Harding back on IR to free up the cap space. Unless they honestly think he's going to play come playoff time(if they even make it). I firmly believe this team could use Zucker right now, especially with Cullen out.

Nice to see Gilbert a healthy scratch! I know Stoner has had some abysmal games lately, but Gilbert has needed a good sit down for at least a month now.

Really unfortunate they gave up Schultzy for this clown. Hell, Nick has only 3 less points than Tom at this point of the season and his offensive upside is why they traded for him in the first place. Horrible d man, and not much better offensively.

I have heard the magic number to make the playoffs in the West is 54, need at least 5 wins out of the next 11 to "back into the playoffs". 7 or 8 would be best. If the Wild beat everyone beneath them in the standings currently, that would be 7 wins. Not sure how we will fare against the likes of Chicago at home, St. Louis at home, at San Jose and L.A. at home.

2015 winter classic Minnesota vs. LA.

2015 winter classic Minnesota vs. LA.
- wingz4life

In LA?

In LA?
- SotaPopinski

no minny.

2015 winter classic Minnesota vs. LA.
- wingz4life

Doubt it. Chicago (most likely), Winnipeg, or St. Louis. Chicago because they have more of a widespread draw. Hawks/North Stars alumni game. It just makes sense.

The other two would make for stellar games, but the draw would not be as big.

no minny.
- wingz4life

Joking, as I hope you are too. Why LA? There is no sort of rivalry or side story whatsoever between these 2 teams

Doubt it. Chicago (most likely), Winnipeg, or St. Louis. Chicago because they have more of a widespread draw. Hawks/North Stars alumni game. It just makes sense.

The other two would make for stellar games, but the draw would not be as big.
- jrmehle

Some have mentioned the Stars, for obvious reasons, but I am not in favor of that. Especially since they look to be on the verge of a rebuild. Chicago would be my 1st choice

On a side note... Heatley looks like he may be done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. While I have been critical of his effort, I think this team may miss him in the playoffs. Hopefully he is able to return before or during the 1st round

Some have mentioned the Stars, for obvious reasons, but I am not in favor of that. Especially since they look to be on the verge of a rebuild. Chicago would be my 1st choice

On a side note... Heatley looks like he may be done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. While I have been critical of his effort, I think this team may miss him in the playoffs. Hopefully he is able to return before or during the 1st round
- SotaPopinski

I thought the paper said the surgery could speed up his return? Don't really know how? Did he seperate the shoulder or break the arm?

I thought the paper said the surgery could speed up his return? Don't really know how? Did he seperate the shoulder or break the arm?
- Mersch

If it's just a "scope" (i.e. not a full fledged cutting and opening of the skin around the shoulder, but rather just little holes drilled in specific spots kind of like how they do alot of knee procedures) of the shoulder, it should accelerate the healing meaning that he could be playing at some point during the playoffs.

I thought the paper said the surgery could speed up his return? Don't really know how? Did he seperate the shoulder or break the arm?
- Mersch

Heard it was a shoulder dislocation. Likely just soreness. A scope would likely be just to clean up any kind of loose bone fragments or any foreign matter in and around the rotator/joint that came as a result of the injury.

Heard it was a shoulder dislocation. Likely just soreness. A scope would likely be just to clean up any kind of loose bone fragments or any foreign matter in and around the rotator/joint that came as a result of the injury.
- MnGump

Per Russo's blog:

It’s a scope to repair a dislocated left shoulder