Expect a much better effort from the Wild tonight as they host the Blues for the second time in a week. Last Sunday's 4-0 drubbing on home ice, followed by the exact same score to the Ducks on Tuesday prompted the trade of Charlie Coyle to Boston in exchange for Ryan Donato and a fifth round pick.
Donato has made his presence known with three assists in his first two Wild games. The line of Luke Kunin, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Donato has shown some immediate chemistry.
The fact that Bruce Boudreau has bought into the kids playing bigger minutes or should I say the "KEDs" as the line has been dubbed.
Not sure if this is Boudreau's idea or if he has been instructed to do so, either way the Wild have been more entertaining the last couple of games as a result.
Tonight is the final tilt before tomorrow's trade deadline and there are many possibilities for players on the move.
Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund are intriguing options to move, however the return on either player must be significant. If Fenton chooses to move a defenseman, either Jonas Brodin or Jared Spurgeon that is far more risky.
Eric Staal is more of a longshot to be moved with his limited no movement option.
St. Louis had their franchise record 11 game win streak snapped earlier this week in Dallas, but they came back with a 2-1 shootout win over Boston yesterday.
If the Wild are going to make the playoffs they must turn things around on home ice and that must start with two points tonight.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
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