Now that the 9-game homestand is behind the Wild it is back to the road for the next four. Today it begins in Carolina against the Hurricanes. It is a very tough road trip and one that should battle test the Wild as they prepare for the playoffs. Washington tomorrow, Nashville on Tuesday and the trip wraps up against Central Division rival Blues in St. Louis.
The Wild are a bit banged up as the wear and tear of the schedule is taking its toll just as it is for every other NHL team this time of year. Jon Merrill and Matt Boldy are out of the Wild lineup and Marcus Foligno and Freddy Gaudreau are playing through some nagging injuries.
Bill Guerin made some key additions to the Wild lineup at the trade deadline, with the additions of Marc-Andre Fleury, Nicolas Deslauriers, and Jake Middleton, but the first move Guerin made acquiring Tyson Jost for Nico Sturm is going to take center stage during this trip. Jost is finally going to be given an opportunity to skate on a top six line as he takes Matt Boldy's place skating with Gaudreau and Kevin Fiala.
Jost has been very involved in his limited roll, but now that his ice time will be increased along with the talent he will skate alongside his time is now to show what he can do. We have seen glimpses of the offensive talent Jost brings and he is a guy to watch for sure over this weekend's games.
Fleury will be in the Wild goal tonight and Cam Talbot will face the Capitals tomorrow.
Alex Goligoski draws back into the lineup and will play with Dmitry Kulikov. Goligoski has been a healthy scratch the last three games despite his new 2-year contract extension.
Carolina leads the Metropolitan Division with 45 wins and 98 points through 68 games. The Hurricanes have only lost five games in regulation at home this season. Frederik Andersen is having a stellar season with 33 wins and a 2.00 GAA and a .929 save percentage. He has solidified the Hurricanes issues in goal that had been their achilles heel in recent years.
Huge test for Fleury and the Wild as their new goalie gets his first real test.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!