Wild Game Day number 13 Wild Record (7-4-1 15 pts) Road Record (3-3-1)
Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers (6-7-2 14 pts) Home Record (3-3-1)
Site: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Time: 6:00PM CT
TV: Fox Sports Net Plus
Last Season Results: 1/7 Flyers 4 @ Wild 3 (OT) 2/25 Wild 2 @ Flyers 3
The Wild road trip continues tonight in Philadelphia against the Flyers. Coming off possibly their best win of the season in Pittsburgh Thursday night, the Wild will look to have another strong road performance in a hostile building. The Wild like many other clubs have not fared well in Philadelphia, winning just three of their previous eleven trips to the City of Brotherly Love.
The Flyers on the other hand, are coming off one of their poorest performances of the young season last night in Toronto falling to the Leafs 6-3. The Flyers blew a 3-2 third period lead, yielding four third period goals to the upstart Maple Leafs.
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol was not impressed with his team's effort and more importantly goaltender Steve Mason's play in the third period last night. Expect Michal Neuvirth to be between the pipes tonight for the Flyers as they try to solve their goaltending situation.
The Wild are looking for that consistency that will allow them to take the step up to the league's elite. They have shown in small doses that they can play with anyone, but to do it consistently especially on the road is a whole different story.
The Flyers have had trouble all season long keeping the puck out of their own net. Both of their goaltenders have struggled with both having save percentages well below .900 and goals against averages over 3.5.
Bruce Boudreau's team put 44 pucks on net in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, which is a sign the message of "shoot the puck" is getting through. In order for the Wild to be successful consistently they need to generate offense from the shot. Their defense and solid defensive zone play should lead to opportunities, especially against the suspect Flyers defense and goaltending.
Keys to tonight's game for the Wild: Get off to a strong start (Flyers played last night in Toronto so may take some time to get their legs, also the Flyers have been dreadful in the first periods this year outscored 18-9) Stay out of the penalty box Don't get caught in a track meet with the Flyers Win the shots battle equals a Wild win
Let's Go Crazy!
Let's Go Wild!
Let's PlayHockey!