No Taylor Hall, Zenon Konopka for Tonight’s Game

Feb 7, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zenon Konopka (28) reacts after being ejected from the game during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Canucks defeated the Wild 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, Taylor Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, did not skate with the Oilers in practice this morning. Hall (sore hamstring) hasn’t played since he left the Oilers’ matchup with the Blues earlier this week. Minnesota Wild fans will have to wait until Tuesday April 16^th for any retribution—if there is indeed any coming to Mr. Hall. According to Wild center Kyle Brodziak, “We want to move on, focus on the game…just let it be.”

With the absence of Hall, Wild enforcer Zenon Konopka will sit as Minnesota’s only healthy forward scratch, meaning rookie center Mikael Granlund will find his way back into the lineup. Justin Falk will be back in the lineup, with Nate Prosser coming out. Cal Clutterbuck skated on his own for the first time since his injury, but will miss his fifth straight game. Clutterbuck is listed as day-to-day with a thigh contusion.

Minnesota is focused on winning, not on the past. However, even with Konopka sitting in the press box, Mike Rupp, Clayton Stoner and Justin Falk are a few guys not afraid to drop the gloves if it comes to that. As you can tell by the video below, Mike Rupp is no Boogaard, but he certainly knows how to clean a clock.