Jordan Greenway returns to the Wild lineup and he will rejoin Joel Eriksson Ek. The third member of their trio will be Matt Boldy which should be a boost for the Wild offense.
Boldy and Eriksson Ek have looked good together and adding the "Big Rig" should only enhance that as the Wild hit the road again in LA tonight.
Injuries have played havoc with the line combinations during the ealry going of the NHL season, which could eventually work in the Wild's favor. The season is so long that injuries are always a part of the game. Having guys step into different roles up and down the lineup only makes the team deeper, as long as the players continue to work and earn their ice.
Marco Rossi centers the third line with Connor Dewar and Mason Shaw, and Sam Steel centers the fourth line between Tyson Jost and Jospeh Cramarossa who was recalled from Iowa along with Adam Beckman.
Matt Dumba will rejoin his pal and longtime defense partner Jonas Brodin while Calen Addision slides back to the thrud pair with Jon Merrill.
Tonight the Will will look to avenge the 7-6 loss they took at home when the Kings visited the XCEL Energy Center during the first week of the season. In that game the Wild fell behind 3-0 and chased the game the rest of the way, briefly tying the score at six midway through the third period. Unfortunately they were unable to keep the game even as Adrian Kempe notched the game winner a half minute after Sam Steel had tied the score at six apiece.
Minnesota is still looking to get back to playing Wild hockey consistently as they have squandered many points opportunitites through the first few weeks of the season and need to start stringing some wins together to establish themselves in the Central and begin the climb uo the standings where they feel they belong.
It's always Hockey Day in THE State of Hockey!