It is payback time for the Wild tonight as they host Vegas for the first time this season. Last week's 51-1 defeat coupled with the 5-4 OT loss fresh on their minds the Wild will be ready to erase that and show they are a top tier team in the West.

Kaapo Kahkonen will be in the Wild net to face the Golden Knights for the first time as Cam Talbot played both games in Vegas.

The Wild are also stinging a bit after blowing a two goal lead in Arizona on Saturday before falling to the Yotes 5-2. Saturday was a classic case of a team that had some success winning 5-1 on Friday and then jumping out to a 2-0 lead after the first period against the Coyotes.

In the second period the Wild got off their game and the details were not adhered to and Arizoja took full control of the final 40 minutes enroute to a fairly convincing victory of their own. Couple that withvthevtwo Vegas losses and Dean Evason has plenty of ammunition to fire his team up for the rematch with the Golden Knights tonight.

The powerplay is still non-existent and Zach Parise is becoming less and less of a factor offensively. He was very noticeable on the bench during the Wild timeout, called when after pulling Talbot in favor of the extra attacker. Parise a Wild mainstay in these situations his entire career, but not on Saturday and for the near future I would expect if he does not start to perform.

He did not look all that engaged Saturday, which is something to monitor as the season progresses. Zach isba pro and he wants to be on the ice in every key situation. He just needs to get back to playing the Zach Parise game, putting his nose down and getting to the net. Keep getting to the dirty areas and finish. The Wild need Parise going. Here is hoping tonight is the turning point for #11.

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