Wild Game Day number 39 Wild Record (24-9-5 53 pts) Road Record (11-5-5)
Opponent: Anaheim Ducks (21-12-8 50 pts) Home Record (13-4-2)
Site: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Time: 9:00PM CT
TV: NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)
Last season results: 10/18 Wild 1 @ Ducks 4 10/24 Ducks 0 @ Wild 3 1/20 Wild 1 @ Ducks 3
Bruce Boudreau will be making his first visit back to Anaheim since he was dismissed following the Ducks most recent playoff exit, a game 7 loss at the hands of the Predators last Spring. Boudreau admitted that the first thing he looked for when the schedule came out was, his return to Anaheim. Much like any player would do, returning to your previous stop for the first time always means a circle on the calendar.
Anaheim has dominated the season series with the Wild over the last four and half years while the Ducks were coached by Boudreau. The Wild won just 2 of the last 13 meetings(2-10-1) with Boudreau's, Ducks after winning at the Honda Center back on December 4, 2011, 5-3 in Boudreau's 2nd game behind the Duck bench.
The Ducks have not missed a beat since parting ways with Boudreau, opting to bring back Randy Carlyle whom Boudreau had replaced in December ofor 2011. Carlyle guided the Ducks to their only Stanley Cup back in 2007. Anaheim currently sits in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with 50 points through 41 games.
The Wild look to get back to their roots and play a more disciplined game starting from the net out. Five games in a row they have given up four goals, twice their season average for goals against per game. The offense can't come as a tradeoff for sloppy D zone coverage. When the Wild are on top of their game they are creating turnovers with their speed and strong team play in all three zones. Great puck support, strong forecheck, and limited chances allowed in their defensive zone. They have gotten away from that the last couple of weeks and that trend needs to change and tonight is a perfect place to start.
Yesterday in LA, Zach Parise delivered on the powerplay with Kuemper pulled to earn the Wild a point in a game they were largely outplayed. Yes, they did have a 2-0 lead early in the contest, but both of those goals were of the leaky variety and the Kings carried most of the play even in that first period. Once they got on the board LA took control of the game and the Wild appeared to just try to hold on.
The NHL season is a grind and there are peaks and valleys but the top teams find ways to win games that they shouldn't, or like yesterday steal at least a point. This Wild team is showing character that they haven't in years past, which is netting results in the standings. That will need to continue if this year's Minnesota Wild are going to take the leap to the NHL's elite class.
Tonight is another opportunity for this team to make a statement. Boudreau's Anaheim return, second game of a back to back on the road, rebound off a down performance are all factors leading into tonight's tilt. Winning on the road, going 2-0-1 on the California trip and in front of the National TV audience on NBCSN are all there for the Wild taking tonight in the Honda Center.
Let's Play Hockey!