Tonight's Central Division clash between the Wild and Predators could put the Wild into a playoff spot with a win. Both teams enter the tilt with 17 games to play and Nashville holding down the eighth position and final playoff spot with 72 points with the Wild a point back but sitting in 11th position. Winnipeg and Arizona hold down 9th and 10th place respectively both with 72 points with both having only 15 games left to play. Winnipeg plays tonight so there is no guarantee that the Wild could wake up tomorrow in playoff position with a win over Nashville.

The Predators are coming off an embarrassing defeat at home 8-3 against the Oilers last night so expect them to be fired up and ready to put that lost effort in the rearview mirror.

For the Wild they saw their modest 3-game win streak end in their 4-3 home loss to the Captials on Sunday night in St. Paul.

Including tonight's contest the Wild and Predators will square three times in the final 17 games of the regular season which wraps up with the two facing off in Nashville on April 4th. Nashville has owned the series of late winning the last 7 meetings between the two Central Division foes. That must change if the Wild are going to make the leap and qualify for meaningful games after that April 4th showdown in Music City.

Former Predator and Wild leading scorer, Kevin Fiala, has simply taken his game to a new level. Fresh off his player of the week number 1 star, Fiala will take aim at his former mates looking to extend his goals and multiple points games streaks, both at four games entering tonight's game.

Former Wild forward, Mikael Granlund, has picked up his game of late as well, not quite to the level of Fiala. Granlund enters the game with 17 goals and 30 points. Granny is a UFA at season's end so he is playing for more than just making the playoffs as he has seen his production dip significantly since his departure from the State of Hockey.

Alex Stalock will make his fifth straight start in goal for the Wild as he continues to hold down the #1 role. It appears as the net is Stalock's to lose for the time being and that is well earned. Although the Wild goaltending has been subpar as a whole this season Alex has stepped up his game and become far more reliable over longer stretches than in previous seasons.

I still feel that Stalock is far better suited as a backup and that Dubnyk needs to become a factor for the Wild to truly have a shot at making the playoffs. They are not built to rely on scoring 5 and 6 goals a game on a regular basis. As we have seen that in the past they are subject to stretches of ineffectiveness and the guy between the pipes must hold the fort.

Huge two points on the line as is every game from here on out but tonight it is critical to get those points in regulation.

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

Our hearts go out to Nashville with thoughts and prayers to everyone involved with the tornado and storms last night.

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