Wild Game Day number 7 Wild Record (2-2-2 6 pts) Home Record (0-0-1)
Opponent: Vancouver Canucks (4-3-1 9 pts) Road Record (3-1-0)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Result: 11/29 Wild 4 @ Canucks 5 2/4 Wild 6 @ Canucks 3 3/25 Canucks 4 @ Wild 2
The injury news took a terrible turn for the worse yesterday with the news that Zach Parise was going to have surgery on his herniated disc that would delay his season debut at least 2 more months.
Word this morning is that Parise underwent successful microdisectomy surgery this morning at TRIA Orthopaedic Center, performed by Dr. Kevin Mullaney. The announcement came from Wild GM, Chuck Fletcher, and the prognosis is for Parise to be out for 8-10 weeks.
Hopefully this procedure puts the Parise back issues in the rear view mirror and he can rejoin the team for the second half of the season in 100% health. It is frustrating for the fans to be wondering when Zach would return, but even more so to Parise himself. Zach struggled through an injury plagued season a year ago, and after a healthy summer he was looking forward to arriving at camp in great shape and feeling healthy.
Tonight the Wild will get one of their injured forwards back. Mikael Granlund is expected to return to the Wild lineup after missing the last five games with a groin injury that he re-aggravated in the season opener.
The Wild have recalled Luke Kunin once again from the I-35 shuffle in Iowa. Joining Kunin this time will be Lakeville native, and former Gopher Justin Kloos, who is expected to make his NHL debut tonight in front of the State of Hockey faithful. Kloos has a goal and two assists through six games in Iowa this season.
Minnesota finally turned the third period results around in Calgary on Saturday night scoring 3 third period goals to turn the Flames 2-1 lead, into their own 4-2 come from behind road victory.
Alex Stalock was brilliant in the win, giving fans hope that after the past three seasons the Wild may in fact have a capable backup goalie. One that can spell Devan Dubnyk and allow Bruce Boudreau to get his top netminder the proper rest in order to keep him fresh all season.
The first three weeks have been a challenge for the Wild, both with injuries and schedule quirks, and the team has survived to be at .500. That is nothing special, but now with their longest home stand of the season about to begin they have the ability to get things rolling in a positive direction.
The Wild defense has been less than advertised throughout much of the first six contests and that must be better, along with Dubnyk's play as well. Defense and goaltending are often criticized as the last line of defense, but the forward crew has had it's own share in the blame and to get things turned around it will take a total team effort. Keeping it simple has always been the game plan with the Wild, the talent is there, now it is time for the talent to work.
The Canucks come to town having won three of their first four on the road, including their last two both 4-2 victories first in Buffalo last Friday and then in Detroit on Sunday. Vancouver took two of three from the Wild last season and their only visit to the Xcel Energy Center last March.
This is a rebuilding year for the Canucks but don't tell that to first year head coach Travis Green as he has his team playing the game tough and his players are buying what he is selling. Burnsville native and former North Dakota star Brock Boeser is off to a fabulous start to his first full NHL season, leading the Canucks in scoring with 6 points in six games played.
The Sedin twins are always a factor, although they are on the downside of their hall of fame careers. Their veteran leadership is evident every time they step foot on the ice, and this season they are joined by former Wild and Golden Gopher winger, Thomas Vanek.
Tonight is a good opportunity for the Wild to establish a winning streak and set the tone for the homestand. It is October, but the points bank is a bit light for the Wild through their first six games and this next six is a good time for them bolster that points account.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!