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Minnesota Wild Schedule: 5 Biggest Games in 2015-16

By Jon Nomland

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A week removed from the 2015 draft, and now with free-agency and trades off and running, the anticipation is set for training camp and the start of the 2015- 2016 season.

After some dramatic changes made throughout the league in regards to trades and the beginning stages of free agency, the Minnesota Wild look to finally take the next step in their quest for the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in 2016. To get there, they’ll first have to successfully achieve a playoff birth for the fourth straight year, by navigating through their regular season schedule.

Here’s a brief look at some crucial games for Minnesota next season.

Opening Night: Colorado Avalanche – October 8th

Are we seeing a trend here? For the second straight season, the Wild will face the new-look Avalanche in what is sure to be another of many heated contests with Patrick Roy’s “Mile-High club” on opening night. The Avalanche have begun a highly successful off-season by acquiring coveted center Carl Soderberg, and bolstering their depleted blue-line with the addition of Francois Buechemin. Despite losing Ryan O’Reilly to the Sabres via trade, this is not going to be the same Colorado team that Minnesota had their way with last season. A fully healthy Ave roster will have the Pepsi Center a’rockin, hopefully with our share of Wild faithful (I’ll be there at least). I don’t expect another 5-0, or even 3-0 win, like the Wild were fortunate enough to pull out in back-to-backs vs. the Avs in their first two games of 2014. However, this one will surely get everyone’s blood boiling for each respective fan-base, no matter what the outcome is.

Home Opener: St. Louis Blues – October 10th

The home opener against last year’s division champs should have everyone excited. These first two games of the year will provide a solid test for the Minnesota Wild right off the bat; where we all will see exactly what type of year it will be in Minnesota with a nearly identical roster from last season. The Blues will muster a lineup a tad bit different from what has been a staple of the division in years past. highlighted by TJ Oshie being replaced with Troy Brouwer. The now former Wild Kyle Brodziak will return to Minnesota right off the bat to start the year. How do the fans plan to remember him? As the backbone of the league’s number one penalty-killing unit this past season, or as the breakaway guru?

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Reilly’s Ex’s: columbus Blue Jackets – October 22nd

Who knows if newly signed Mike Reilly will even be playing with the club in Minnesota this season, but it’s fitting that this game is now one to circle on the calendars for the sole fact of Jacket players whining over Reilly “leaving” Columbus.  If you missed the Mean-Girl-esque drama, (clearly aftermath of some 4th of July celebrating), check it out here. I’m sure the warm welcomes will be mutual, for each of Dubinsky/Johansen in Minnesota, and Reilly’s “return” to Columbus in early January.

Stadium Series: Chicago Blackhawks – February 21st

Finally, the State of Hockey hosts an outdoor game which will be nationally televised on NBC. Tickets are sure to be hard to come by for this one. Should the Wild be in the mix for a playoff spot at this point in the regular season, it will only add to the drama and importance of the game, especially on a stage of such magnitude. In the meantime, maybe 2017 is the year the Wild will star in a 24/7 HBO Winter Classic Series Eh?

Season Finale: Calgary Flames – April 9th

This game could very well be the deciding factor on whether or not either of these teams make the playoffs in 2016. Calgary is surely a team to watch in the ever-improving Western Conference, especially with the addition of Dougie Hamilton via trade just over a week ago. They simply just keep getting better with smart moves this summer, improving an already young, solid cast. Like a modern day soap-opera, it is sure to be a hectic way to end the regular season with every team in the NHL playing their finale on this day.

If you still have not seen it, check-out the Minnesota Wild full-schedule here.

Next: Minnesota Wild Lock Up Mikael Granlund For Two More Years

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