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Wild In Vegas, Can't Think Vacation

January 21, 2019, 10:56 AM ET [2 Comments]
Dan Wallace
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Back in the win column after Saturday's 2-1 victory over Columbus, the Wild head to Vegas for an afternoon tilt against the Golden Knights. Vegas is rocketing up the Pacific Division standings, winning 20 of their last 28 (20-5-3).

Of course the Wild have never lost to Vegas in regulation, interestingly enough, an accomplishment few teams can make after the amazing inaugural season run that the Golden Knights went on ending up in the Cup final.

This is a new season of course, and the Wild are trying to find their way back to the playoffs for a seventh straight season.

It has been tough going of late and the roster is beginning to change. The Wild have always been a much better team when they play quality opponents, so today's game fits the bill in that category at least.

The Wild offense has been sputtering, even in the win Saturday they were only able to get two shots by Sergei Bobrovsky in the Blue Jackets net.

The new additions, Victor Rask and Pontus Aberg, notched their first Wild points on Zach Parise's 20th of the season. Both players have the ability to contribute, but of the two Aberg is more likely to have a bigger impact on the offensive side.

Louie Belpedio was recalled and played his first game of the season Saturday as well. Belpedio brings a good shot and much more offense to his game than does Nate Prosser. The loss of Dumba has severely hampered the Wild in many ways, but the powerplay is where it is most noticeable.

We will see how Belpedio gets worked into the lineup and how his role will expand as he becomes more familiar with the game at the NHL level.

After today's game in Vegas the Wild will travel to Colorado before the All Star break and their week off. It is important for them to go into the extended break playing well. If they are going to make another second half run they need points in both Vegas and Colorado.

It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!

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