Wild Game Day number 44 Wild Record (22-13-8 52 pts) Home Record (14-7-2)
Opponent: Winnipeg Jets (20-21-3 43 pts) Road Record (8-14-1)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports North (FSN)
Last Season Results: 11/17 Jets 3 @ Wild 4 (OT) 12/27 Jets 4 @ Wild 3 (OT) 12/29 Wild 3 @ Jets 2 2/10 Wild 1 @ Jets 2 (OT) 4/6 Jets 2 @ Wild 0
Last Result: 10/25 Wild 4 @ Jets 5 11/10 Jets 3 @ Wild 5 11/27 Jets 3 @ Wild 1
The Jets come to town looking to build on their 5-4 OT home win over Nashville last night. The Wild are coming off consecutive losses at home both to non-playoff position teams. The Jets have taken two of the three meetings this season, including the last one played in St. Paul 3-1 on black Friday.
The teams do not like each other much and the contests are usually very heated affairs. With the stakes increasing as the season moves into the second half, both teams will be out to make a statement for sure.
For the Wild that statement is the last few weeks are an aberration and just a bump in the road as they look to regain the form of the upper echelon team they really are. For the Jets it is to right the ship and get it back on course to prove that they are every bit the playoff team they were last year and more.
Both teams are at pivotal points in their progression. The Wild struggling to find offense, may be in the market to shake things up on the roster. There are rumblings around the availability of some of their defensive depth in return for help up front. For Winnipeg most of the talk surrounds Captain Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien both UFAs on July 1st, will one or both be signed and or traded as the deadline draws near.
So tonight's game will have plenty to watch out for and promises to be very intense. If history tells us anything about these two teams, it is that this will be a close game, with the outcome most likely being a one goal contest. The team that scores first will have a big edge and of course special teams will be critical.
Nate Prosser will return for the Wild and Dustin Byfuglien will be in the Jets lineup after leaving last night's game in the third period. Expect Connor Hellebuyck, who made his NHL debut against the Wild the last time the teams met, in goal for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg has been very undisciplined at times this season, which has been part of the reason for their sub .500 record to date. They are a big, strong, fast, aggressive team that can dictate the style of play when they keep their legs moving.
The Wild will be challenged to stay the course by taking care of their own end with quick outlets, but more importantly, how well they get to the scoring areas in the offensive zone. This has been the main cause for concern of late. They have not fought hard enough to get to the high percentage scoring areas on the ice, combined with a lack of traffic creating havoc in front of the opponents net.
Central Division points at stake tonight. Mike Yeo has had a couple days to work on things at practice with the team. Tonight will be a good test to see how well they respond to the work they put in on the practice ice. Will this be a statement game?
Let's Play Hockey!