Wild Game Day number 55 Wild Record (36-12-6 78 pts) Home Record (18-6-1)
Opponent: Detroit Red Wings (22-23-10 54 pts) Road Record (11-11-5)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 2:00PM CT
TV: NBC
Last Season Results: 12/28 Red Wings 1 @ Wild 3 4/1 Wild 2 @ Red Wings 3
The Red Wings come to town with heavy hearts as they play on in memory of their long time owner and the man that transformed them into the perennial NHL contender, Mike Ilitch. Ilitch, the Red Wings owner since 1982, also owned the Detroit Tigers and was a huge influence on youth hockey in Michigan and USA hockey. The founder of Little Caesars passed away on Friday at age 87.
Detroit is coming off a 2-1 loss at Columbus last night, and have fallen below the .500 mark with just 27 games to play their 25 year playoff streak is in serious jeopardy.
The return of Thomas Vanek to the State of Hockey is in question as he suffered an ankle injury last night, leaving the game for a bit, but did return for a few shifts late in the game. Vanek has been one of the few bright spots for the Wings this season with his 14 goals and 36 points in 43 games to date. Vanek has been rumored to be moved at the deadline, so this latest injury could not come at a worse time for Detroit.
John Torchetti, will also be making his return to Minnesota as Jeff Blashill's assistant behind the Red Wing bench. Torch, should get a nice ovation from the State of Hockey faithful for his efforts last season, taking over a team that had seemingly lost their way, and revitalizing them through the final third of the season and getting them into the playoffs.
The Wild need to take advantage of their home stand and keep the momentum going as the Blackhawks have regained their winning ways, having won five in a row including last night's 5-1 drubbing of the Oilers in Edmonton. The Wild lead has been trimmed to three points, but they still have three games in hand over Chicago.
The Wild get the NBC National Broadcast today with another chance to show the rest of the country that the Minnesota Wild are on top of the Western Conference standings for very good reason.
The State of Hockey hosting Hockey Town will get plenty of airplay today, but the truth of the matter is "The State of Hockey" is a culture not a slogan, and today they will be on full display at the Xcel Energy Center.
It's Always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!
Let's Play Hockey!