Wild Game Day number 79 Wild Record (45-25-8 98 pts) Home Record (25-12-2)
Opponent: Colorado Avalanche (21-53-3 47 pts) Road Record (9-28-1)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 5:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results: 10/8/15 Wild 5 @ Avalanche 4 12/5/15 Avalanche 0 @ Wild 3 12/7/15 Wild 1 @ Avalanche 2 (OT) 3/1/16 Avalanche 3 @ Wild 6 3/26/16 Wild 4 @ Avalanche 0
Last Result; 11/6 Wild 0 @ Avalanche 1 11/19 Avalanche 3 @ Wild 2 12/20 Avalanche 0 @ Wild 2
The Avalanche in town as the Wild play out the string in anticipation of the real season which begins next week. We are getting closer and closer and still know nothing about which Wild team will show up.
We should get some different looks these next four games, but the Wild still need to hit the playoffs on a good note. Their play has been better of late but the offense is still very eradic.
Good signs from yesterday with Alex Stalock playing well in back to back starts. His performance yesterday was obviously far more difficult than was his first on Thursday when the Wild drubbed a depleted Senators squad 5-1, with Stalock only facing 19 shots. The Predators had double digit shots in each period on Stalock yesterday and he stopped 33 of 35.
Minnesota is going to host either Nashville or St. Louis, we now know that much, but when it comes right down to it,that doesn't even matter. The Wild are their own worst enemy at times, and that is what needs to be addressed. They can beat any team in the league in a seven game series, yes for all you doubters, even the Blackhawks.
Playing Colorado twice and Arizona in the last week will give the team a chance to rest Dubnyk some more, but he will play today at home. A healthy and focused Dubnyk is absolutely critical to the Wild succession the playoffs, but having a backup that the team and more importantly the coach has confidence in may be equally as important.
Jason Zucker missed yesterday's game with a lower body injury, not sure of his status for today, but expect Boudreau to rotate, Graovac and Schroeder into the lineup in a a few of these games this week.
No easy games and the Avalanche have already beaten the Wild twice this season. Time for taking teams for granted is in the past. It is Spring and the playoffs are all that matters now. Getting the Wild back on track and keeping them challenged and focused is critical, even in meaningless games.
It's always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!
Let's Play Hockey!
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