Back to the road for one more three game road trip before the Wild embark on the home heavy portion of the schedule over the next two and a half months. Tonight the Wild face Central Division rival Blackhawks for the first time this season.
Chicago has dropped four straight and 10 of their last 13 heading into tonight's contest. The Wild have fully turned things around and put themselves back into the playoff race with just one regualtion loss in their last 15 (10-1-4). The Wild have used consistent play from all four lines, a rock solid defense corps. and strong play in net, despite the absence of starting netminder, Devan Dubnyk, to spark their turnaround.
Last night Eric Staal scored two goals bringing his career point total to 999 as he looks to become the 89th player in the league's history to hit the 1000 point mark.
It has been quite an impressive turnaround for the Wild and one that can be attributed to an entire team effort. The top line of Staal, Jason Zucker, and Mats Zuccarello have have gelled together with Zucker's speed combined with Zuccarello's vision and playmaking ability to give the Wild their best top line threat in recent memory.
Zach Parise is the heart and soul of the Wild offense still with his unrelenting effort and willingness to go to the front of the net with reckless abandon. Kevin Fiala found his game once he was united with Parise and Mikko Koivu and that has only gotten better despite the loss of Koivu due to injury. Ryan Donato has stepped up in the captain's absence and taken his all around game to a new level.
The GEEK squad of Joel Eriksson Ek, Jordan Greenway, and Luke Kunin have formed one of the finest shut down lines in the league frustrating the opposition top lines on a nightly basis. The trio is also contributing on the scoreboard as well making them that much more effective as they mature before our very eyes.
The Wild fourth line is anchored by Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman who serve as critical penalty killers for Boudreau's team.
What more can be said about Carson Soucy who just keeps getting better and now has three goals and three assists over the last six Wild games.
The injury report is looking brighter as both Koivu and Spurgeon are traveling with the team on the trip and their returns appear to be coming soon. Dubnyk will also accompany the team and at the very least practice with the club on the road as his return nears.
Joel Eriksson Ek left last night's game with an apparent upper body injury. Boudreau said that JEE appeared better after the game and will be a game time decision tonight. If Eriksson Ek cannot go, Gerry Mayhew will slot into the lineup in his place.
Kaapo Kahkonen will be in goal for the Wild tonight looking to extend his regulation unbeaten streak to five games.
It's always Hockey Day in the State of Hockey!