Wild Look to Start Winning Streak Tonight in New Jersey
Tonight’s tilt in New Jersey will be crucial for the Minnesota Wild as they try to avoid a 4-game losing streak. After being one of the highest scoring teams leading up to the game losing streak, the Wild have been outscored 11-2 in their last three games.
Last year, the Minnesota Wild earned 3 out of a possible 4 points against the Devils. They won in St.Paul 4-0 on November 3rd, 2013, then lost in shootouts on March 20, 2014 in New Jersey, Zach Parise‘s first game back since joining the Minnesota Wild. Parise is still out of the lineup because of his concussion but is skating and practiced with the team and made the trip out to New Jersey. Also skating with the Wild are Josh Harding and Jared Spurgeon, read more here.
Perhaps Parise being out of the lineup will avoid a potential distraction, after all, Devil’s fans weren’t so easy on him in his return last year:
This will, however, be a return for Ryan Carter. Although this return won’t be as significant for Devil’s fans, it will be for Carter, and I think he will have a big game tonight; he is my dark horse in this match up.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported that Matt Dumba and Christian Folin will be scratched for tonight’s game. Nate Prosser will pair up with Marco Scandella and Jonathan Blum will make his season debut on the third line with Keith Ballard.
Russo also reported that Devil’s backup goaltender Keith Kinkaid may get the nod tonight as Cory Schneider allowed four goals in a loss to Boston last night. If Kinkaid starts, it will be his first NHL start of his career.
Overall, I think the Wild are going to have a big game tonight. The Wild, who haven’t played since Saturday, will be fresh against a team that is on the backside of a back-to-back. Kinkaid has saved 10 of 11 shots so far this season and will have to make many more saves if he gets the start tonight as the Wild are second in the league in shots per game (34.6). Should Cory Schneider get the start, he will be on a short leash as he has only won three games since October 14 (3-7-2) and allowing 36 goals in that span.
The Wild are 4-5-5 all time against the Devils but are 3-0-1 in their last four games against them.
More importantly, tonight’s game marks the beginning of an easier stretch of games for the Wild who has only played two teams this year that failed to make the playoffs last year (Arizona and Ottawa).
Overall, I think the Wild will come out firing on all cylinders. They have been held to just two goals in their last three games and will look to build some momentum for the next stretch of lighter games on the schedule. Unless the Wild are faced with officials who feel like disallowing goals (Wait, did I say that?) I think the Wild will put up at least four goals tonight and will head home ready to face a struggling Buffalo team on Thursday for Military Appreciation Night.
Here is a look at the Wild’s next four games:
Thursday, November 13, Wild vs Buffalo, 7:00 PM CT
Saturday November 15, Dallas vs Wild, 1:00 PM CT
Sunday, November 16, Wild vs Jets, 4:00 PM CT
Thursday, November 20, Flyers vs Wild, 6:00 PM CT