Wild Game Day number 9 Wild Record (3-3-2 8 pts) Home Record (1-1-1)
Opponent: Pittsburgh Penquins (7-3-1 15 pts) Road Record (3-3-0)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last season results: 11/10 Wild 4 @ Penquins 2 11/25 Penguins 2 @ Wild 6
Two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Penguins invade the Xcel tonight. Pittsburgh comes in off consecutive 2-1 OT wins over Edmonton and Winnipeg. After getting blitzed 7-1 by Tampa last Saturday, it appears the Pens have worked to tighten their defense and the results are two wins taking their record to 7-3-1.
The Wild took both meetings with the Penguins last season with both occurring in November, so not much stock can be taken from those most recent contests.
The Wild are struggling to form any kind of consistency, and have not been able to put back to back wins together through their first eight games.
Minnesota defense and goaltending has been a big issue so far this season, and tonight will be their biggest test to date.
Tonight will mark the reunion of sorts for Matt Cullen as he faces his former team for the first time since hoisting the Cup with the Penguins last Spring. To a man the Penguins have admitted that they miss Cullen's presence both on the ice and in the locker room. Cullen is a true professional as we all know, and what he brings to every team he has ever laced them up for is a solid effort always whether it is practice or a game or game 7 of the Stanley Cup.
Mikael Granlund looked much better in his second game back from his groin injury, creating some of the magic we were accustomed to seeing last year with his line mates Jason Zucker and Mikko Koivu.
The injury front is getting better as Nino Niederreiter is skating and is slated to make his return Tuesday, but there is still an outside chance he is ready tonight.
Don't expect Bruce Boudreau to make any statement with his goaltender tonight, but if Dubnyk falters early I would not be surprised to see him get a quick hook. Alex Stalock has played very well in his two starts and the confidence in him is growing.
When Dubnyk is on top of his game he is tracking the puck very well and making himself big and controlling rebounds. So far this season he has had trouble controlling rebounds and been off balance much of the time. It does not seem as though Dubnyk needs to make huge adjustments but he does need to get back to the basics of his game, and close off those holes to limit the leaky goals he has been subject to almost on a nightly basis this season.
Should be a fun game to watch tonight, and another good test for the Wild. Minnesota has a habit of getting up for the good teams and the two-time Cup champs are as good as they get so expect a well prepared Wild team tonight at the X.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!
Follow me on Twitter @dwallace17